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Camera Capturing Drivers Red-Handed

Tribune photo by ANDY JONES

This sign on U.S. 19 alerts southbound drivers on the highway of a red-light monitoring camera system just ahead at the U.S. 19 and Ridge Road intersection. Port Richey activated the system two months ago, making it the first municipality in the Tampa Bay area to use the controversial traffic-control devices.

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

PORT RICHEY - Every day, the small camera at the crossroads of Ridge Road and U.S. 19 catches at least a dozen red-light runners passing through the busy intersection.

A few weeks later, most of the violators receive a $125 ticket in their mailboxes.

Two months ago, Port Richey became the first Bay-area community to use the technology to crack down on violators at one of the region's worst intersections.

Since then, more than 570 red-light runners have been captured by the camera, an average of 10 to 12 a day. At least 354 of those are confirmed violations.

And the numbers continue to increase.

"It's definitely working," said Police Chief David Brown. "Unfortunately, all too well."

So far, there have only been a handful of contested traffic citations, police officials say, and the violators are starting to pay up. To date, at least 178 have paid their tickets.

Brown said city officials plan to establish a traffic court. A special magistrate from the Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Court system would preside over the quasi-judicial hearings.

Once a month, violators will be able to appear before the judge to argue their cases.

About 250 cities nationwide use the cameras, but they have been slow to spread in Florida because of a state law against using cameras to enforce traffic laws.

But Florida cities have found a loophole by passing ordinances - instead of traffic laws - that allow police to issue nonmoving violations to red-light runners caught on camera.

So far, cameras have shown up in Gulf Breeze, Apopka, Pembroke Pines and Orlando.

Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions collects $40 from each ticket payment under a five-year contract with the city. The citations are typically $125 for each violation.

The city plans to install eight cameras: four at the Ridge Road intersection, two at Grand Boulevard and U.S. 19, and two at Ridge Road and Leo Kidd Drive.

Port Richey officials are negotiating right of way agreements with business and property owners to place the cameras, other equipment and signage on their property.

American Traffic Solutions is handling the negotiations and will cover the extra costs.

"This isn't costing the city one dime," Brown said. "The company covers everything."

When someone runs a red light, the camera records the vehicle and its license plate. The police department, which has 24-hour access via the company's Web site, reviews the evidence and decides whether it backs up a citation.

The company sends out citations from the police-approved list of violators.

Supporters of the high-speed surveillance say it is a way to get tough with red-light scofflaws while generating revenue for municipal coffers. Opponents say the cameras are a money-generating gimmick and do little to crack down on violators.

The controversial technology also has its share of critics.

A recent University of South Florida study concluded that rear-end collisions increase with the cameras because motorists slam on their brakes to avoid getting ticketed.

Brown said the city hasn't seen a spike in rear-end collisions.

He said the system is about saving lives, not generating money for the city.

"It's not a cash cow," he said. "This is about getting motorists to drive safely."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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