V-Flyer

Just a few interesting facts about these cameras.

There are currently 164 in Florida but many more planned - big moneymakers!
They have been holding off installing in some areas due to legal challenges but Florida is changing the law to prevent this and allow many more cameras.

Collier County (Naples area) is one of the leading groups but they are also being introduced in Orlando, Tampa, Miami and the east coast.

They have now been active for a year in Collier, initially only at 2 junctions, then another 10 and now a further 7!

Through February, the 12 red-light cameras currently functioning in Collier County had led to the issuing of 23,883 citations, according to Collier County transportation reports. Of those citations, 85 percent — 20,313 — were issued to drivers who failed to come to a complete stop while making a right turn on red.

So these are not catching people jumping the lights - it is the complete stop BEFORE the white line while turning on red that is catching people out.

It's not just the County making money out of it.

Through March 30, the cameras have generated $1,571,601 in revenue, $561,041 of which went to the vendor, American Traffic Solutions, which provides the cameras at no cost.

which is why they are expected to spread! That income was from just 12 of the 164 currently installed!

Most local people know where the cameras are - it's the tourists who are taking the hit.

Have to say I'd probably have been caught out by the "coming to a complete stop", so thanks for the advice Bill, it's prompted me to go looking for the rules for CA. I think the right turn on red is one of the things we could usefully adopt (although ours would obviously be left turn on red). I always used to think the lack of roundabouts was great too, but they are rapidly increasing!

Regards
RedV

I can almost understand the need to come to a complete stop - the problem is not just that. You have to come to a complete stop before the white line - in a position where you are unlikely to see the traffic approaching, particularly in Collier where they paint the white line some 2 or 3 yards before the junction and the traffic going straight across has probably stopped over the line.

So it's a matter of stopping twice - once for the line and then again a few feet further on to see if it's safe to pull out!

Stop once could be argued as a safety issue. Stop twice is just a money making scamera.

Bill S wrote:So it's a matter of stopping twice - once for the line and then again a few feet further on to see if it's safe to pull out!

I bet the number of accidents increases as drivers smack into the car in front not expecting the second stop. :0

RedVee wrote: I think the right turn on red is one of the things we could usefully adopt (although ours would obviously be left turn on red).

Regards
RedV

Absolutly not ! What about us pedestrians trying to cross the road?

In New York it confuses a lot of (visiting) prdestrians and the drivers can be quite aggressive. In fact it takes longer to cross the road because the crossing it has been blocked by someone turning on red.

I have had enough of cyclists treating red lights as 'advisory' never mind car drivers.

I must admit its giving me cause for concern as we are staying in Naples for a time later this year and i know its easy to forget local laws and this one seems like the sort of thing i do reguarly when in Orlando let alone Collier County, O well im sure i will have to build in a citation budget as well as a spending budget.

cheers

alex

Do you know how much each individual citation costs? I am still reeling from my $281 speeding citation
In Sarasota they were installing cameras for those who jump red lights which is a huge problem in the county. I have seen so many terrible accidents. I am not sure I understand how the right turn cameras work...but I am sure after my first citation I will

Ash permitting I am off the Sunshine State next week so I will investigate |:)

Sunshine 8D

I believe they vary from county to county.
Collier has been reduced $62 for 1st time.