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Red Light Cameras on road to approval in Margate
• Running a red light in Margate will cost $125
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Monday,
June 7, 2010
Shortly after Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill in May approving red light cameras for municipalities across the state, Margate officials got to work re-crafting a local red light law of their own, the first reading of which is scheduled for the city’s June 16, city commission meeting.
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"Traffic infraction detectors” formerly referred to as an unmanned camera monitoring system in Margate, have been proposed for numerous busy intersections throughout the city.
Margate Commissioners will discuss amending the city’s “Dangerous Intersection Safety Act” to include these traffic infraction detectors (red light cameras) at their final June meeting, and then decide whether to sign the ordinance into law at their July 7 meeting.
Police say red light cameras will help law enforcement protect and improve public health, safety and welfare. City administrators like the idea that red light camera infractions are a fresh stream of revenue for the city.
A source of controversy over red light cameras is that a citation is issued to the owner of the vehicle caught on camera running a red light, not the vehicle driver, which critics of the cameras say doesn’t adequately address dangers posed by reckless drivers who habitually run red lights.
The cameras will have both still photography and video capabilities, according to a draft of the proposed Margate ordinance.
Intersections monitored by red light cameras will be clearly marked by signs.
Getting caught on camera running a red light in Margate will result in a violation called a “Red Zone Infraction.”
The way the ordinance reads, drivers must first come to a complete stop before a crosswalk, or clearly marked stop line, prior to making a turn on red, which although is the law to begin with, motorists often roll through intersections when turning on red.
A single Red Zone Infraction will result in $125 fine.
Vehicle owners will have 21 days to appeal a Red Zone infraction.
Permissible grounds for appealing a Red Zone infraction include:
• The vehicle was not under the control of the owner at the time of the infraction.
• The traffic infraction detector was found to be malfunctioning (Traffic Control Infraction Review Officers will verify whether equipment was functioning properly at the time).
• The driver of the vehicle was issued a traffic citation by a law enforcement officer for running the same red light caught on camera.
For the owner of the vehicle to prove he or she was not in control of the vehicle at the time of the infraction:
• Vehicle owner must testify under oath to the truth.
• Vehicle owner must surrender the name, address and driver license number of the person in control of the vehicle at the time of the infraction.
• If the vehicle was stolen, vehicle owner must produce a police report stating as much to the Margate magistrate.
As per Florida law, no points shall be recorded on the driving record of the vehicle owner or responsible party receiving a Red Zone Infraction.
Tips for avoiding a citation.
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