City Commissioners set Hollywood’s red-light program into motion last month after unanimously approving an ordinance tweeking the City’s Red Light Running Prevention Act to state standards.
The Act calls for the installation of traffic cameras at high-problematic intersections in Hollywood (including Pembroke Road and I-95 and several along Sheridan and Stirling Streets) to catch drivers running red lights, said city spokeswoman Raelin Storey.
Storey said camera installation has already begun at 10 intersections throughout the City, and red-light runners could receive warning tickets in the mail as soon as Oct. 1, with official $158 citations beginning as soon as November 1.
“There is definitely a problem with people running red lights,” Storey said. “This is another tool in the police department’s arsenal to prevent traffic violations.”
The City solicited American Traffic Solutions, a provider of technology and business solutions for photo traffic safety and electronic toll enforcement programs worldwide, to install the cameras. The company has installed nearly 1,100 cameras around the country, including cameras in Ft. Lauderdale, according to its Web site.
At each intersection, a 16-megapixel resolution camera will view all lanes at the same time. The camera captures two high-resolution images from the rear of the vehicle. The first image shows the vehicle with the front wheels behind the stop bar and the illuminated red light, and the second image shows the vehicle in the intersection with the rear wheels past the stop bar and an illuminated red light, according to the site. A clear image of the license plate is also extracted from one of the violation images.
Storey said a portion of the revenue generated by the traffic cameras will go to the state, and the City will use its portion of the fines for general revenue for Hollywood. However, Storey stated revenue was not the ultimate motivation behind the cameras.
“The cameras will generate revenue, but that is not the reason we implemented them,” she said. “We want to make the roads safer.”
And although the City passed the Red Light Prevention Act last year, Storey said they needed to make changes to ensure the bill meshed with state laws. The Act now follows the statewide standards for the use of cameras as traffic enforcement devices stated in the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, which Gov. Charlie Crist signed in May. The Mark Wandall Act, named for a man killed by a red-light runner, requires cities to comply with regulations established by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The City will launch a public relations campaign in September to inform residents of intersections containing the cameras. Storey said the PR outreach, as well as the first month of tickets simply being warnings, gives residents ample opportunities to prevent receiving a $158 fine. In addition, the City will launch a Web site containing all the information needed for drivers who receive a ticket, including information on appeals.
“Residents will know where all the cameras are two months before any tickets are issued,” Storey said. “Then they will have a month to get used to it and start coming to complete stop.”
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I received a citation for a red light violation camera located hollywood blvd & 441 for a September 8 event.
however, I got a full citation. as per above you mentioned that they will be sending warnings first and no official citation until November 1.
can you advised if this was an error or who or how I can correct this issue?
thanks