With respect to Perrjojo's position, I add the clarification that cost-effectiveness is not the main reason (I would agree that it is a reason) why some cities and counties are discontinuing the use of red light cameras. Reasons include: elected officials buckling under to their residents' (read: voters') complaints about the "big brother watching" form of enforcement;
administrators taking a conservative, risk-based approach of suspending the use of red lights until the litigation regarding the legality the red light camera program is resolved (there are numerous lawyers throughout in Florida and other states who have raised a variety of challenges); My observation: use of cameras at toll booths along Florida Turnpike and other toll roads is permitted, different with red cameras?); and
staffing shortages that preclude operating the program efficiently and effectively.
The South Florida agency from which I recently retired began utilizing red light cameras last year, at just one intersection. If I recall correctly, the agency expects to gross in excess of $200K by the end of the fiscal year.
Maintaining the effectiveness of the program is time- and labor-intensive, with the majority of the efforts occurring behind-the-scenes. Every potential violation is reviewed to ensure that people are not wrongly cited, and because many people challenge the violation with the hope that the agency will drop the matter, there are a considerable amount time spent preparing for and appearing before a judge in court.
Consequently, the program requires nearly full-time attention by two staff members, and part-time attention from two more staff members.
I do not know how much revenue the program will net the agency but revenue was not the main reason for implementing the program; saving lives and protecting property was. In fact, the agency was willing to absorb some costs to deliver that component of safety to the public; the extra revenue is a collateral benefit.
As for me, I agree with Indy: Absolutely! Although I am a responsible driver, I welcome all of the protection against drivers described by Villages PL that can be provided.
With respect to thistrucksforyou, driving is not a right, it is a privilege. Often times others abuse that privilege in a manner that puts the lives of my family and me at serious risk. The overt use of high-profile monitoring equipment that is conspicuously visible in a public place for the specific purpose of ensuring motor vehicle safe operation or other matters of public safety is appropriate. It is the electronic equivalent of assigning a law enforcement officer at the site.
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