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Red Light Cameras

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Red Light cameras causes more accidents

Since the red light camera law went into effect in 2010, rear-end accidents have doubled in parts of Florida (Elmore 2010). It was mainly to prevent automobiles accidents when drivers ran red lights, and was implemented at the behest of widow Mellissa Wandall who lost a family member when a stranger ran a red light. Former State Rep. Ron Reagan was the lead sponsor of the bill. The law gave Florida the power to install cameras in places where the most accident happen due to red light violations, but the Red-Light Camera Law should be put on hold until more research and studies are done because of economic and safety issues related to its use.

Professor “Barbara Langland-Orban” professor and chair of Health Policy and Management at the University of South Florida, said that the red light camera does not work. (Langland-Orban 2008) The injury rate from red-light running crashes has dropped by a third in less than a decade, indicating red-light running crashes have been continually declining in Florida without the use of cameras.. ( Johnson 2008 )

Comprehensive studies conducted by the Virginia transportation Research Council found that cameras were linked to increase crash cost (Garber and Miller 2007). People panic when coming to an intersection with cameras and tend to jump on the brake without looking to the rear for fear of getting a citation on the mail.

The state of Florida conducted a poll asking if the camera law should be repealed 42% said yes and 58% said no.(Chanel 13 3/2011 ) Many studies have shown that the Red Light Camera Law saves lives said Kathy Till, and Apopka City Commissioner. As of now a House Committee approved the repeal, but the repeal has to pass the State House and Senate.

It turns out those red light cameras in Orlando violate state law. An Orange County Circuit Judge ruled Monday, the City of Orlando does not have the power to use the cameras to ticket drivers only the state can do that according to (Melissa DiPane 2010). So does this mean ticketed drivers will get their money back? Henry Stone with the Civil Rights Association says don’t hold your breath (Stone 2010).

I believe this law was implemented because a certain group of citizens believes the Government should make decisions for them, to make them feel they are well protected, without regard of the outcome. The Red Light Camera Law would have been a good idea if enough data was collected about the safety issues surrounding its implementation and had there not been such a focus on the financial gains.

Most of the discussion about the repeal of this law has focused on the economic effect enactment or repeal would have on the state and local government agencies, not whether the law saves lives or not. After been able to gather enough data we would think twice for $158.00, but a persons live should not have a value.

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