I have been on a crusade to have cameras installed at intersections to help prevent red-light running since 1999 when I received some alarming statistics. In 1997 and 1998, accidents resulting from drivers disregarding traffic signals totaled 2,624. There were 37 fatalities. I began to research the use of surveillance cameras at intersections throughout the country. In 1999, there were 1,319 accidents resulting from drivers disregarding traffic signals. There were 11 fatalities including the six residents from the Whisper Walk community. I became convinced that the County had to take action.
I took my case to the County Commission and the Board approved a two-month pilot project. The project consisted of using surveillance cameras at an intersection in the County to monitor how many vehicles ran a red light. I was dismayed at the results. During the first month, an average of fifty cars a day ran the light. The number dropped to twenty the second month following heavy publicity. One fifth of those who ran a red light did so two seconds after the light had changed. This certainly demonstrated that the use of cameras would help cut down on the red-light running and have a major impact on reducing preventable accidents, injuries and deaths. There would be fewer calls to the County=s Fire Rescue Department and to the Sheriff=s Office and less demand on our overcrowded hospital emergency rooms.
I went back to the County Commission and advocated for a law that would catch and fine red-light runners. As a result, the County made ATraffic Safety Photo Enforcement@ a priority issue in 2001 and urged our Legislators to amend the statutes to permit traffic tickets to be issued using photographic evidence produced by surveillance cameras. Other states have successfully implemented programs and proved that cameras at intersections do make a difference. Bills were introduced in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 but no action was taken by the Legislature.
At my urging last May, the County Commission adopted an ordinance that authorizes the use of unmanned camera/monitoring systems to promote compliance with red light directives and adopts a civil enforcement system with penalties and an appeal process for red light violations. Our Purchasing Department issued an RFP (Request for Proposals). The bids were received and ranked. The second place finishing company has filed an appeal and a hearing before a Special Master is scheduled for April 15th. Depending on the outcome of the protest hearing, we hope to negotiate and finalize the contract which will then come before the County Commission for approval in May.
I had a discussion about the red-light camera ordinance and how it will help to save lives with Major Musco and Captain Jeff Calise just a few days ago. I asked what the “rules of the road” are for yellow lights. Captain Calise sent me an email to share with you. In summary, the following is his message: A great many traffic crashes – some of them fatal – are caused by red-light runners. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind you that a yellow light means that you must slow down and prepare to stop. A red signal indicates that you must come to a full stop, even if a right turn on red is permitted, before proceeding. Palm Beach County will soon install cameras at some intersections in an effort to enforce these laws and the new ordinance. Please join us in making Palm Beach County a safer place for everyone who uses our roads.
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Government
