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More than 50 cities in Florida have installed cameras at busy intersections to catch red Light runners, even though a 2005 opinion said the cameras, while illegal, could not be used to fine motorists. Now a judge is saying the fines levied by the cities is unconstitutional. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, State lawmakers will likely have the final say.

In 2005, then attorney general Charlie Crist issued an opinion saying local governments could install all the red light cameras they wanted…but they couldn’t fine people based solely on the camera.

More than 50 cities ignored the advice. But now a South Florida judge has used the opinion to say the fines are unconstitutional.

State Representative Ari Porth is a co-sponsor of red-light legislation that has languished in Tallahassee for most of a decade. He believes the judge’s decision and a tight budget might finally light a fire under lawmakers.

“I think there are benefits financially for the cities and for the drivers on the road,” Porth said.

Under the plan, half of the 155-dollar fine would go to the state, with 25 dollars of each ticket going to support trauma centers.

In one study, in an intersection like this one, when motorists were told there was a camera, the number of red-light runners dropped from 50 a day to just 20.

Nationally, support for the cameras is overwhelming. We found the same support in random interviews.

“Absolutely no problem. Abide by the law,” one driver said.

“I think it would be good. I think it would help keep people accountable,” another said.

“Put the cameras up there and give them tickets,” driver Koceem Stanbury said. “That’ll slow them down.”

And while safety is important, in the end, it will likely be the search for cash that motivates lawmakers to finally legalize with dozens of cities have been doing for years.

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