Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Drivers who want to appeal a ticket might have to pay up to $250 in additional fees if Gov. Rick Scott signs a new bill into law. Do you think that’s right?
Hate red light cameras? If so, you might hate them even more if Gov. Rick Scott signs a bill recently passed by the Florida Legislature into law. The bill sets a new process for appeals that enables local government bodies – cities and counties – to tack on an additional $250 in court fees for those who try to appeal tickets generated by red light cameras and fail. It also puts the new appeals process into the hands of those very same local governments that would benefit from the additional fees. That means motorists who appeal and lose will no longer be subject to just a $158 penalty – they might have to fork over $408. The new law, according to The Tampa Tribune, was designed to streamline the appeals process and put more control in the …
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
In light of a recent report on red light cameras including its impact on car crashes, some Clearwater Patch readers shared their thoughts about the program's safety.
The six month red light camera program is going to continue to run to see what role the cameras play in car crashes. The cameras were installed in July 2012 and warnings were issued to violators. Red light running violations at intersections with cameras have decreased each month since fines started to be issued with an exception in December. But it could take two or three years to compile enough crash data to see what impact the cameras have, Maj. Daniel Slaughter said. After hearing a report on the camera program, city leaders asked to hear about the program again in six months. Some Clearwater Patch readers shared their thoughts about the program's safety. "Crashes have gone up at these intersections! Not enough time? Truth is, too much…
Thursday, March 7, 2013
After hearing a report regarding the safety and effectiveness of the red light camera program, city leaders decided to continue it and expect to hear another report in six months.
Six months is just not enough time to figure out what role red light cameras play in car crashes, according to Clearwater Police. While the number of crashes has gone up at intersections with red light cameras, none of the incidents were rear-end collisions related to drivers stopping short to make sure they do not get a red light camera violation, officials say. Maj. Daniel Slaughter with Clearwater Police compiled a report detailing the red light camera program that started in July and presented it to city leaders Tuesday, March 5. “The goal is to reduce red light-related traffic crashes as well a improve safety” he said. “Now that we have access, there are a lot of near misses that we are lucky they didn't turn into crashes.” He said …
The president of the National Motorists Association, a nonprofit group that protects driver rights, shared his thoughts regarding the city's chance to get out of a contract with red light camera program Redflex Traffic Systems for about $54,000.
James C. Walker, president of the National Motorists Association, a nonprofit group that protects driver rights, shared his thoughts regarding Clearwater's chance to get out of a contract for its red light camera program. In light of Pinellas County Clerk of Court Ken Burke asking Clearwater and other cities to stop issuing red light camera violations, officials looked to see what it would take to get out of the contract with Redflex Traffic Systems. Canceling the entire contract by July 1 would cost $54,000, according to city records. Here's what Walker had to say on Patch: "If Clearwater can end the contract with Redflex for only $54,000 dollars, it would be a terrific bargain. Red light camera tickets strip over $100 per ticket from …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
City leaders are reviewing the success of the trial red light camera program during their meeting Tuesday at City Hall. A report detailing its results could impact their decision to keep or cut the program.
A Clearwater Police report details the $570,000 in revenue the city's red light camera program has generated, an increase in crashes and a decrease in red light violations. The report detailing the red light camera program that started in July will be presented at the City Council work session meeting Tuesday, March 5, at City Hall. City leaders are looking to review the six-month trial program's success. The city could be locked into the contract for another two and a half years or have to pay a fee to get out of it. Success is dependent on a 15 percent decrease in violations and the program is cost neutral. The cost to end the contract with the company that runs the red light camera program could be at least $54,000 if city leaders …
Monday, March 4, 2013
While accidents have increased at the intersections where red light cameras are running in Clearwater, officials say other factors could play a part.
Just because red light cameras are running does not mean they stop accidents. Intersections with red light cameras have seen a rise in crashes, according to a Clearwater Police report studying the six month pilot program. However, officials are not pointing to the camera program as the culprit to the increase. “Impact on crash occurrences is inconclusive,” according to the report. “It’s difficult to correlate red light camera enforcement to any increase or reduction in the crash activity based solely on the number of crashes and minimal sample size available for this analysis.” Accident frequency has to do with several factors that may or may not have to do with red light cameras including increase of vehicles on the road, change in …
The city has brought in more than $570,000 in red light camera fines during the six month test, with nearly $300,000 going to the state, $201,000 to the city and $72,000 for the employees who oversee it, according to city documents.
The city has issued thousands of red light camera violations raking in more than $570,000 during the six month pilot program. The city splits the $158 fine with the state. The state gets $100 of every ticket, and the city splits its revenues with Redflex Traffic Systems, the Arizona company that installs and maintains the cameras. About $300,000 went to the state, $201,000 to the city and $72,000 for the employees who oversee the program, according to a presentation planned for city leaders Tuesday. Clearwater pays Redflex $13,000 a month. If the six-month trial is successful, the city will be locked into the contract for another two and a half years or pay a fee to get out of it. The pilot program’s success is dependent on a 15 percent …
Sunday, March 3, 2013
OK, so you had a busy week. We understand. Let us catch you up on all the highlights from Clearwater Patch!
Winter the dolphin would be moved to a $160 million facility at City Hall, and Coachman Park would be expanded under the proposal, which also seeks nearly $60 million in government help and approval by Clearwater voters. After the death of Jason Paul, family members, friends and neighbors gathered in Clearwater's Crest Lake Park to remember and move forward. When questioned by detectives, Robert Spalla admitted to representing himself as a firefighter at All Children's Hospital and on multiple other occasions, often seeking concession for food and drink at businesses in Pinellas County. The suspect entered the lobby of an office complex on Lightwave Drive in Clearwater, began shooting at the lobby doors and windows, then shot himself in …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
In a letter to Clearwater and five other cities, Pinellas County Clerk of Court Ken Burke says there are flaws in the system and that his office spends too much time dealing with the fallout from violators.
Pinellas County Clerk of Court Ken Burke is asking Clearwater and five other cities to stop writing tickets for red light violations, arguing there are flaws in the system and that his office is spending a disproportionate amount of time dealing with the fallout from violators. "These citizens are upset with the poor communication, insufficient information and resulting unfair penalties," Burke wrote in a letter dated Feb. 20 to city leaders in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Kenneth City, South Pasadena and Oldsmar. Burke said a significant number of red light violations are issued erroneously to the owner of a vehicle, not the driver. Further complicating the matter is the number of rental car companies that receive the notice of …
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
As the Florida House of Representatives considers outlawing red light cameras around the state, here's what some Patch readers had to say on the subject.
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…
Louis Amandola
10:20 am on Monday, May 13, 2013
I concur with Mr. Walkers statement. However, we 'the sheeple' must endure the consequences of those that 'we the sheeple' PUT INTO OFFICE in Tallahassee. more ›