so if the driver is drunk and kills someone later can they still say it is about safty? a real cop would have pulled the drunk over before he kills someone a camera cannot pull the drunk over
Class action law suits against cameras
· By: Drivers.com staff
· Date: 2009-08-25
Comments (5) Join conversation
Hundreds of Florida drives are joining in class action lawsuits against a number of Florida jurisdictions over what they say are constitutional rights infractions by jurisdictions using sensors and automated cameras to track red light violations.
The jurisdictions include Aventura, Miami Gardens, Juno Beach and Orlando. Between 16 and 20 other jurisdictions will be added in the next few weeks, according on reports in the Sun Sentinel.
Municipalities say the cameras deter drivers from running red lights, prevent accidents and save lives. Critics of the cameras say they violate drivers due process and equal protection rights.
Lawyers for drivers participating in the lawsuits argue that local governments are not permitted under state law to regulate stop lights. Under state law, police officers cite drivers who run red lights and the tickets can be contested in a county court. However, in cities, no officer witnesses the red light infraction and it is the vehicle's owner, not the driver, who is cited. Worse still, owners cited can only appeal to a special magistrate, who typically works for the city.
This, says attorney Brett Luskin, who filed the original suit in Aventura, just north of Miami, is "like having the officer who wrote you the ticket rule on your case … It's a flat violation of state law. I want the judge to declare these things are invalid."
However, some Florida municipalities are carrying on with plans for cameras. In the case of Pembroke Pines in Broward County, camera provider, American Traffic Solutions is assisting with defending against the lawsuits in court.
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Comments
cash cow, on Sunday, 04. October 2009 at 06:00 AM
Tom S in Chicagoland, on Thursday, 17. September 2009 at 01:58 PM
I have not seem any proof red-light cameras improved my safety. But it sure slows be down at known intersection with these cameras and other drivers behind me seem to understand the implication. Does this add to worker productivity and help us to get closer to a 2nd World nation or just make a govt burecrat happier as they waste more time waiting?
Admin, on Wednesday, 16. September 2009 at 09:49 AM
Ness, you might try contacting attorney Brett Luskin for information. You should be able to get this ticket erased if the lights are not functioning properly.
Ness, on Tuesday, 15. September 2009 at 10:24 AM
I entered the intersection of N.W. 17th Avenue and 183 street had stop to oncoming traffic make a right hand turn I recieved a ticket for running failing to yield. When I recieved a citation for running the red light? I surveyed the intersection and found that the camera randomly flashes when making a right turn. I wonder how much money Miami Gardens has made in this spot alone.
Al Cinamon, on Monday, 31. August 2009 at 09:08 AM
The proliferation of red light cameras is not about safety. It's about money. They do not prevent crashes. They just trade the intersection collision for a rear end collision. This is according to surveys by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
But, you know what? Making money off bad drivers is okay with me. Every country develops its natural resources. Our natural resource is bad drivers. It should be used to our advantage.
