Don't repeal red-light camera law, for safety's sake

Proponents of red-light cameras stationed at busy intersections should be up in arms over legislative action to repeal the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act. This week, Melissa Wandall addressed a House committee considering repeal.

Wandall's husband was killed in 2003 in a collision with a vehicle running a red light here in Manatee County, and she worked tirelessly for years for passage of a bill allowing red-light cameras. The argument that cameras change driving behavior and save lives fell on deaf ears as a majority of committee members agreed with the counter points -- that cities and counties install cameras to generate revenue from the fines and not as a safety measure. The other main point is the claim the devices don't prevent accidents.

The sponsor of the House bill, Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, called the cameras a "back-door tax" since the fine for running a red light is $158.

He's following a popular but tiresome doctrine: If you want to kill something you don't like, label it a "tax." By Artiles' reasoning, every traffic ticket is a "back-door tax" and every one should be repealed. Red-light running is against the law just like speeding and all the other moving violations. All incur fines. The tax argument is a smokescreen to spike the 2010 law.

None of these arguments are new, having been debated for years until the Legislature agreed with the safety point. The Florida Police Chiefs Association and Florida League of Cities are among the prominent supporters of the devices.

Rep. Darryl Rouson, whose district includes parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties, sits on the House Appropriations Committee. In voting for repeal, he remarked that there was no outcry from citizens when St. Petersburg unplugged its camera, WFSU reported.

That's presents a challenge for proponents of the law -- to call or write the region's legislative delegation and urge them to reject repeal. Here's contact information:

Sen. Bill Galvano; 850-487-5026; galvano.bill.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Arthenia Joyner: 813-233-4280, joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov

Rep. Greg Steube: 850-717-5073, greg.steube@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Jim Boyd: 850-717-5073, jim.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Darryl Rouson: 850-717-5070; Manatee office, 941-708-8570; darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse.gov

Let's save the law.

This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Don't repeal red-light camera law, for safety's sake ."