Court case could put Santa Rosa red light cameras in question
- November 25, 2014
- / Louis Cooper
- / government
Officials in two Santa Rosa County cities that use cameras to capture motorists who run red lights do not believe recent court cases in South Florida will impact their photo enforcement programs.
On Oct. 15, the 4th District Court of Appeals invalidated a citation issued under the auspices of the City of Hollywood because the city had allowed the private company that provided the photo service to issue that citation rather than a law enforcement officer, as required by state law.
Subsequently, a class action suit has been filed in Miami seeking $5 million to reimburse anyone issued a citation by the company involved in the Hollywood case, American Traffic Solutions. That firm provides photo enforcement for many cities in Florida – including Milton.
Milton City Manager Brian Watkins said he does not believe the citations issued in the city’s red light photo enforcement program are in jeopardy of being invalidated because their citations are issued only after a law enforcement officer approves.
[caption id="attachment_10757" align="alignright" width="300"]
Traffic passes the red light camera at Glover Lane and U.S. 90 in Milton. Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Today[/caption]
“I believe there are still legal actions pending in (the Hollywood) case,” Watkins said. “Once it works its way through the legal process it might have an impact on us in the future, but currently we do not believe it has an impact on our program and we continuing with our process.
“I am not familiar with the class action lawsuit against ATS, and we continue to work with ATS in accordance with our contract and operating guidelines.”
Gulf Breeze, which uses a vendor called Sensus, also requires an officer to review the photos before a citation is issued, says City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy.
Both Santa Rosa cities began photo enforcement to curb dangerous accidents, according to their city managers.
“We realized that each and every time someone runs a red light, there exists a great potential for a very serious, life-threatening motor vehicle accident,” Watkins said. “Actually, the last fatal traffic accident we had in Milton before implementing red light camera enforcement was a T-bone accident at Hamilton Bridge Road and Dogwood Drive (which now has a camera).”
Two other intersections in Milton also have cameras: U.S. 90 and Dogwood Drive along with U.S. 90 and Glover Lane.
In Gulf Breeze, the intersections of U.S. 98 and Fairpoint Drive, U.S. 98 and Daniel Drive and the intersection in front of Gulf Breeze Hospital on U.S. 98 have cameras.
“We formed a traffic accident task force in 2004 to take a look at the issues of traffic accidents which were increasing even with our enforcement efforts,” Eddy said. “Installation of cameras to assist in the enforcement of red light running was one of the task force’s 29 recommendations. Twenty-five have been implemented and accidents are down in the city in spite of an increase in traffic volume.”
[caption id="attachment_10754" align="alignright" width="300"]
Traffic passes the red light camera at Dogwood Drive and Hamilton Bridge Road. in Milton. Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Today[/caption]
The City of Gulf Breeze has issued about 25,000 photo enforcement citations since ticket-writing began in 2006. A violation costs $158. If a motorist challenges the citation and loses, he or she pays another $250 to cover the court costs.
Eddy said 53 percent of the proceeds from red light camera fines goes to the state. The camera vendor collects about 35 percent. The city keeps about 11 percent to cover administrative cost.
The City of Milton began issuing citations from photo enforcement in 2011 and has issued about 9,500 tickets since then. Milton also charges $158 for the ticket, but just $150 more for an unsuccessful challenge.
Watkins said $75 of the $158 is set aside by the city to pay the vendor, with the rest going to the state.
Traffic passes the red light camera at Glover Lane and U.S. 90 in Milton. Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Today[/caption]
“I believe there are still legal actions pending in (the Hollywood) case,” Watkins said. “Once it works its way through the legal process it might have an impact on us in the future, but currently we do not believe it has an impact on our program and we continuing with our process.
“I am not familiar with the class action lawsuit against ATS, and we continue to work with ATS in accordance with our contract and operating guidelines.”
Gulf Breeze, which uses a vendor called Sensus, also requires an officer to review the photos before a citation is issued, says City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy.
Both Santa Rosa cities began photo enforcement to curb dangerous accidents, according to their city managers.
“We realized that each and every time someone runs a red light, there exists a great potential for a very serious, life-threatening motor vehicle accident,” Watkins said. “Actually, the last fatal traffic accident we had in Milton before implementing red light camera enforcement was a T-bone accident at Hamilton Bridge Road and Dogwood Drive (which now has a camera).”
Two other intersections in Milton also have cameras: U.S. 90 and Dogwood Drive along with U.S. 90 and Glover Lane.
In Gulf Breeze, the intersections of U.S. 98 and Fairpoint Drive, U.S. 98 and Daniel Drive and the intersection in front of Gulf Breeze Hospital on U.S. 98 have cameras.
“We formed a traffic accident task force in 2004 to take a look at the issues of traffic accidents which were increasing even with our enforcement efforts,” Eddy said. “Installation of cameras to assist in the enforcement of red light running was one of the task force’s 29 recommendations. Twenty-five have been implemented and accidents are down in the city in spite of an increase in traffic volume.”
[caption id="attachment_10754" align="alignright" width="300"]
Traffic passes the red light camera at Dogwood Drive and Hamilton Bridge Road. in Milton. Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Today[/caption]
The City of Gulf Breeze has issued about 25,000 photo enforcement citations since ticket-writing began in 2006. A violation costs $158. If a motorist challenges the citation and loses, he or she pays another $250 to cover the court costs.
Eddy said 53 percent of the proceeds from red light camera fines goes to the state. The camera vendor collects about 35 percent. The city keeps about 11 percent to cover administrative cost.
The City of Milton began issuing citations from photo enforcement in 2011 and has issued about 9,500 tickets since then. Milton also charges $158 for the ticket, but just $150 more for an unsuccessful challenge.
Watkins said $75 of the $158 is set aside by the city to pay the vendor, with the rest going to the state.
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