Gaetz Would Back Repealing Red Light Cameras

February 18, 2014

Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, are no fans of red-light cameras — that much is clear.

Echoing comments by the speaker, Gaetz said in a televised interview last week that he would support repealing the state’s red-light camera law.

“I voted against red light cameras when they came up the first time,” Gaetz said during an interview on The Florida Channel’s “Florida Face to Face” show. “I’d vote for repeal today. I agree with the speaker.”

Weatherford said during an interview with The News Service of Florida that he would back a repeal, though he acknowledged that is not likely to happen.

Appearing with Gaetz in the television interview, Weatherford said he hopes to add regulations on the use of the cameras by local governments.

“I don’t live under any illusion that we’re going to repeal red-light cameras this year,” Weatherford said. “But we ought to be able to bring some sensible regulations and some sensible policies on how and where they put these red-light cameras.”

Red-light cameras have long been controversial, but opponents are pointing to a new study by the Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability, which they say shows the cameras haven’t reduced accidents and are a way for local governments to bring in revenues. The Florida League of Cities has questioned the fairness of the study.

by The News Service of Florida


Comments

7 Responses to “Gaetz Would Back Repealing Red Light Cameras”

  1. melodies4us on February 19th, 2014 8:21 pm

    Only on the Florida panhandle would there be such a ruckus over red light cameras.

  2. Colonel Lee on February 18th, 2014 1:55 pm

    The only reason they have traffic cams is for $$$ Revenue $$$ any thing else they tell you is a lie.

  3. Dillweed on February 18th, 2014 8:13 am

    Contrary to the image shown, Escambia County does not have any photo enforced red light cameras at signalized intersections.

  4. 429SCJ on February 18th, 2014 8:13 am

    If you don’t like red light cameras well then don’t run red lights.

    Lower your tail gate or get a parallax view obstruction plate cover for your tag.

    I suspect it is elected officials who are getting ticketed or else they would not complain about the revenues the cameras are generating.

    Six of one or a .5 dozen of another to me. Macht Nichts.

  5. Rooster Cogburn on February 18th, 2014 7:00 am

    red light cameras are just another way by which governments spy on citizens…some even run your tag. If you’re ok with that-move to some place like China….many of us would rather not have government “scanning” citizens 24/7.

  6. for it on February 18th, 2014 6:30 am

    I’m all for the red light cameras! You run a red light you should have to pay, and hopefully you’ll learn that you have no right to go on red, before you cause the death of someone. I see red light runners all the time, wish they all would at least have to pay a ticket for doing so! THE RED LIGHT MEANS TO STOP! FOR YOUR SAFETY AND OTHERS.

  7. Carolyn Bramblett on February 18th, 2014 5:08 am

    Fairness? We have laws about the red lights and we have too many people who have a reckless disregard for other’s lives. They should have red lights at every intersection in this county.