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Motorists Running Red Lights Getting Just Due in Port Richey

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

It'll be a while before police in the small Pasco municipality of Port Richey know if the new red-light camera system on U.S. 19 will habitually deter lead-footed motorists who drive irresponsibly and risk innocent lives.

But the number of people ticketed so far sure makes the effort sound promising.

In the first two months of enforcement, cameras at one of Pasco's worst intersections - Ridge Road and U.S. 19 - have caught 573 red-light runners red-handed.

Offenders deserve every cent of the $125 fine that goes with it. After all, violators were given warnings for the first two months.

Some motorists and lawyers are peeved, saying the cameras represent "Big Brother" and put motorists at a disadvantage. They argue that you can't cross-examine a camera when contesting a ticket. State politicians have even argued that the cameras represent an invasion of privacy, as though drivers expect privacy when barreling along a public road.

This region's epidemic of red-light running is a matter of public safety and more communities should follow Port Richey's lead. Conscientious motorists are the ones at a disadvantage and they deserve protection from drivers who recklessly ignore red lights.

Hillsborough officials recognize the critical need and are targeting 10 intersections for recording. Bids are expected to be sought soon, with the first cameras ready for action in early September.

To avoid a ticket, all motorists have to do is slow down, pay more attention and stop trying to beat the light. How hard is that?

Besides, Port Richey's system, like others throughout the country, has built-in protections for motorists who've grown accustomed to being filmed by cameras in convenience stores and public buildings.

For instance, police - not an employee of the American Traffic Solutions, the private company that operates the cameras - make the final determination of wrongdoing after viewing images of the vehicle and license plate.

And if motorists can prove they weren't behind the wheel, they're off the hook.

So far the Port Richey system is debunking the theory that red-light cameras create more rear-end collisions because motorists slam their brakes to stop in time. Police say they've seen no such spike.

Port Richey took a bit of a gamble in becoming the region's first community to install red-light cameras, since the trend runs contrary to state law. Thank goodness for a loophole that allows local governments to adopt ordinances for such a program, and for the willingness of private landowners to allow the cameras on their property.

The use of red-light cameras is good public policy. Law enforcement officers cannot monitor every intersection, especially as local governments reduce services to live within smaller budgets. Cameras can fill a big need.

If hot-footed motorists don't like it, that's too bad. As long as they drive responsibly and follow the law, they have nothing to worry about.

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