Revenue Generators or Safety Devices?

The State of Florida just passed a law legalizing red light camera’s at intersections.  This was done after after a few local ordinances have had red light camera’s for a few months of “testing”.

In the name of safety, not revenue, one county doubled its average number of traffic tickets issued for running a red light during the first few months of “testing”.  However while the revenues increased substantially, so did the number of accidents, also doubling the number of rear-end collisions at the intersections with camera’s during the same period of time.
The mayor of this town was supportive of the new camera’s simply stating, “sometimes rear-end accidents go up with camera’s because anxious drivers are more likely to stop abruptly”?

The downside to getting a traffic ticket from a camera, you cannot take a Florida traffic school course or defensive driving course to dismiss the infraction or for point reduction.  The state law takes effect July 1, 2010 and fines will increase from $125 to $158, all in the name of safety.

The Mayor of one of the “test” towns received a ticket for “rolling” through a red light and making a right hand turn.  Upon receiving the ticket in the mail. she promptly came out and proclaimed she would fight it, but then realized the precedent she would set and decided to pay the fine and make a matching amount to a charity.

So whether in the name of revenue generation or safety, remember, if you get a traffic ticket in the mail for running a red light, you must pay.  Florida traffic ticket schools are still just for those who actually get to meet an officer of the law.