Florida bill would put a stop to red light cameras

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Red light cameras would be a thing of the past in Florida under a bill that was narrowly approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.

The committee approved the measure on a 4-3 vote Thursday after Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes argued cities and counties use the devices as cash registers rather than for legitimate safety purposes.

The Legislature and governor approved red light cameras in 2010. Brandes’ bill would repeal that law.

He argued that accident rates have gone up at intersections with red light cameras while they’re generating increasing amounts of money that municipalities use for their general budgets rather than safety.

Democratic Sen. Oscar Braynon said he knows from personal experience that the devices are effective in getting drivers to not run red lights. He opposed the bill.