No More Red Light Cameras? Here's What Clearwater's Saying

Since we told you last week about a bill under consideration by the Florida House of Representatives that would strike down the use of red light cameras, Patch readers have had plenty to say on the topic.

Our story, Red Light Cameras: Should They Stay or Go?, received more than 120 comments as of Tuesday night. Here's what some Clearwater Patch readers had to say:

Michael D.: "... Quite a few national organizations have already shown through Objective data that accidents actually increase on average about 28% due to Red Light Cameras. So it's making the state money, and making insurance companies money. Notice that since red light cameras have gone up the average car insurance rates have been going up, have to pay more claims."

John Cattel: "Cops should be concerned with catching crooks and not harrasing honest taxpayers in a ploy to enhance the local treasury. In every instance, everyone must give their permission to be recorded and since permission is not saught by the operators of these cameras they could very well be in violation of any number of really good laws." 

Larry Andersen: "Nothing I dislike more is a zombie, or a cell user, or a crazy driving through a red light but, losing my liberty and allowing Big Brother to creep in I cannot agree with any form of. Therefore remove all cameras. Now"

InsiderMyself: "They are revenue boosters. They are NOT for safety. They must be removed. Also, there is mounting evidence that yellow lights are shortened to ensure you get a ticket, or send someone through the windshield, or get hit in the back, when you try to stop so fast because the yellow lights are shortened. Cats already out of the bag on this one. UNCONSTITUTIONAL PERIOD!"

Do you agree? Should red light cameras be banned in Florida? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below to continue the conversation.