PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR RED LIGHT CAMERAS

SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD THE FIRST OF TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS INSTALLING CAMERAS AT INTERSECTIONS TO CATCH RED LIGHT RUNNERS.  THE STATE PASSED A LAW BACK IN MAY ALLOWING RED LIGHT CAMERAS TO BE USED TO CITE DRIVERS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO STOP ON RED.  THE CAMERAS ARE ALREADY BEING USED IN MANATEE COUNTY AND IN THE CITY OF SARASOTA.  WHEN A LIGHT TURNS RED, THE CAMERA TAKES A PICTURE OF THE LICENSE PLATES THAT CROSS THE WHITE LINE, AND WHOEVER THE CAR IS REGISTERED TO RECEIVES A TICKET IN THE MAIL FOR $158 DOLLARS.  HOWEVER, NO POINTS ARE ASSESSED ON YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE.  THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS UNTIL DECEMBER TO COME UP WITH SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CAMERAS, AND IF APPROVED, IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO INSTALL THE EQUIPMENT.  FOLLOWING INSTALLATION, THERE WOULD BE A 30-DAY PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD WHERE CITATIONS WOULD NOT BE ISSUED.