• 15
  • September
    2011

Over two dozen red-light cameras are being installed throughout the Tampa Bay area in a citywide attempt to reduce the number of car accidents occurring at stop-light-controlled intersections. Over the past three years, over ½ of the total car accidents related to red lights in Hillsborough County happened in Tampa. In 2010, 371 car crashes in Tampa were caused by a driver running a red light.

Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn believes that drivers running a red light have created an epidemic in Tampa. He even waits an extra three seconds after a light turns green before believing he can safely enter an intersection.

Tampa car accident attorneys have seen the serious injuries that can result when one car runs a red light. From head and neck injuries to broken bones and spinal injuries, a t-bone car crash caused by running a red light can have catastrophic and even fatal consequences for the driver, his or her passengers and other cars on the road.

What Constitutes Running a Red Light to Trigger the Red Light Camera?

A laser is placed behind the stop line at a red-light camera intersection that will trigger the pole-mounted camera if a driver runs a red light. If a driver is travelling over 10 mph when he or she crosses the laser and the stop light is red, one still image will be taken by the camera and a video will begin recording.

The camera will take a second photograph of the car while it is in the intersection when the light is red. Police will examine the photos to determine whether a red-light violation occurred and if so, will send the two photos from the camera as well as a blown-up shot of the car's license plate to the registered owner of the vehicle. The owner will also receive a link to the video.

The red-light camera law holds the owner of the vehicle responsible for the violation regardless of whether he or she was actually driving. Unless the owner provides a signed affidavit that identifies the driver who ran the stoplight, he or she will be responsible for the fine. Red light violations in Tampa Bay will cost a driver or car owner $158 per ticket.

Tampa red-light cameras will begin photographing and taking video of drivers who run red lights beginning October 1. St. Petersburg red-light cameras were turned on today at 11 intersections but fines will not begin until October 15, giving drivers a month-long warning period to get used to the new electronic traffic enforcers.

Source: St. Petersburg Times, "Tampa's red-light cameras going up now, tickets start on Halloween," September 2, 2011