Tampa might jump on red light cameras bandwagon

Two years after abandoning plans to install red light cameras across the city, Tampa officials are taking another look at the controversial traffic control devices.

Following the lead of other Florida communities, Tampa officials are considering the use of the surveillance cameras as a way to crack down on traffic scofflaws and generate revenue for cash-strapped coffers.

"There's been a desire to do this for a long time, particularly from neighborhood groups," said Steve Daignault, the city's public works and utilities administrator. "We seem to have a lot of people running red lights."

Daignault said the city is still in the process of studying the effectiveness of the cameras in other Tampa Bay area communities.

Locally, red light cameras are already in operation in Temple Terrace and Lakeland. Hillsborough County is installing cameras at 10 intersections, including one that is expected to be switched on Friday at Dale Mabry Highway and Waters Avenue.

The city contemplated installing the cameras in 2007, before other communities jumped on the bandwagon, but Mayor Pam Iorio scrapped the plans, citing research on rear-end collisions and concerns about using a private company to issue traffic citations.

City officials wouldn't say why they are now revisiting the red light camera issue or if Iorio has changed her mind.

"The mayor doesn't have enough information yet to make a decision," said Darrell Smith, Iorio's chief of staff. "Red light running is a real problem in the area and we believe that if there's an opportunity to alleviate that problem we should explore it."

Red light cameras would require city council approval, but several council members said they would support the move if the Iorio administration decides to move ahead with it.

"If it helps cut down on accidents, I'd support it," said Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena. "If people knew they'd be caught on camera, they would be less inclined to run red lights."

Tampa is facing major budget shortfalls and city officials have been searching for ways to cut costs, as well as to generate additional money for a dwindling general fund.

Councilman Tom Scott said the city could use the added revenue from citations.

"We're in a tight budget crunch," he said. "I'd be interested in hearing the proposal."

Daignault said the city hasn't looked at potential intersections for the cameras yet.

Proponents of the high-speed surveillance equipment say it's a proven way to reduce red-light runners. The technology has drawn its share of critics, including Libertarian groups that complain the real purpose of red-light cameras is to generate revenue.

Nationwide, about 250 municipalities use them, but they have been slow to spread in Florida because of laws banning them on state highways and a requirement that a law enforcement officer must personally observe the traffic violation to issue a ticket.

But Florida cities have found a way around the law by passing ordinances - instead of traffic laws - that allow police to issue citations to red-light runners caught on camera.

Officials in Temple Terrace and Lakeland said the cameras are working.

Temple Terrace officials are considering expanding the program from two intersections, 56th Street at Fowler Avenue and 56th at Bullard Parkway, to four or five. Since last October, the city has issued more than 22,200 citations, or about $1.4 million in fines.

"The cameras are working the way they're supposed to," said Michael Dunn, a spokesman for Temple Terrace. "We've seen a noticeable change in driver behavior at those two intersections. People are actually stopping for red lights."

Lakeland has installed nine cameras at five busy intersections and has issued more than 7,000 citations since June 1, when the cameras started rolling, city officials said.

Still, the cameras have been dogged by controversy in both communities.

Temple Terrace is being sued by five complainants who argue that the city's red-light camera ordinance violates vehicle owners' rights. Officials in Lakeland are weighing an "amnesty plan" for drivers who have been cited for violating no right-turn-on-red rules.

Port Richey, the first Bay area city to use them, dropped the technology last year after a disagreement with its vendor, though city officials are planning to find another provider.

Earlier this year, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office contracted with an Arizona-based company to install and operate red-light cameras at 10 busy intersections.

Besides the one at Dale Mabry and Waters, other cameras will be installed at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Fletcher Avenue; Bloomingdale Avenue and Bell Shoals Road; and the intersections of Sligh and Habana and Waters and Anderson avenues.

County officials expect to generate more than $200,000 a month from fines, but violators will receive a warning for the first 60 days. Fines will be issued starting on Dec. 29.

When someone runs a red light, the camera records the vehicle and its license plate. Law enforcement officials then review the evidence and decide whether it backs up a citation. Any tickets or warnings would be mailed to the vehicle's registered owner.

The citations are typically $125 for each violation, but repeat offenders could be fined upwards of $500. Violators are given an opportunity to challenge citations in court.

In most cases, the system is operated with little or no cost to local governments. The cost of installing and monitoring the cameras is paid for with revenue from the fines.

Advocacy groups and municipalities across the state have lobbied the state Legislature for years - with limited success - to pass a new law allowing the cameras statewide.

Studies offer conflicting information about their effectiveness. Some point to a significant drop in deadly T-bone crashes; others indicate a major increase in rear-end collisions.

According to the national Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 900 people are killed every year in crashes involving red light running. The nonprofit group estimates half of the deaths are pedestrians and passengers in other vehicles.