In recent years, cities all across Florida have installed red light cameras and have removed them just as quickly. The subject has been a controversy as much as it has been regarded as a safety improvement, and has left many people wondering if red light cameras cause accidents or prevent them.
How Do Red Light Cameras Cause Accidents?
Coming up on an intersection guarded by red light cameras can surprise many drivers. They sometimes slam on their brakes, which causes trailing vehicles to collide with the car in front of them. This is why red light cameras can almost double rear-end crashes at intersections, though they may prevent an accident from happening in the middle of the intersection.
Do Red Light Cameras Cause Other Problems?
Cities also often give the companies that are contracted to install and maintain these cameras the right to issue citations. This issue has been taken to court, where a county judge ruled that Hollywood had improperly delegated such responsibilities. An appeals court later affirmed that ruling and the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear further appeals on the case. This ruling has affected red light cameras all over the state, and prompted angry ticket holders to file cases against their cities.
Millions of dollars in fines are at stake in these complaints, which have been consolidated into 10 cases. U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno is overseeing the claims and has already denied a petition to dismiss them, which means cities could find themselves responsible for refunding many if not all drivers ticketed while using these cameras.
The attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson want our neighbors to feel safe at stop light controlled intersections, but we also want everyone to have full access to their legal rights. To find out where our state courts fall on this issue, keep following our blog, Twitter, and Facebook.
