Red Light Cameras

First of all, there is a commission meeting next Tuesday, January 25. The agenda can be found here. More about the meeting tomorrow.

As most of us know North Bay Village has a program to capture red light runners on film. We don't know how successful it's being. Of course, any program in the city is now kept as walled in as North Bay Island. Initially, I was really in favor of it, regardless of the revenue benefit, as running red lights is dangerous to pedestrians and bicyclists. I had hoped it would increase safety on the causeway.

It may have. I don't know and you don't know. No statistics are published.

But there is controversy on the fairness of the program. This article from Palm Beach calls into question the basic rules of evidence used in the ticketing, and regardless of how you feel about red light running, the law should be respected by enforcers as well.

Another article, from the computer geek site Gizmodo explains how traffic lights can be manipulated. I have heard around town that many residents are convinced that since the advent of the red light cameras, the yellow lights have been shortened. I haven't noticed it myself but I am not a daily driver.

Still, it would be interesting to find out more about the red light cameras and how it's working out here.

Kevin Vericker
January 20, 2011

North Bay Village Is Now a Red Light District

You knew I was referring to the cameras, right?

After an initial false start, the red light camera program is in effect today, March 1, 2010.

In the last post, the subject of the legality, specifically about how the infraction witnessed was raised. I spoke today with Lt. McVay of the NBVPD and it's pretty straightforward.

The Process: - At several intersections on the Causeway, cameras are activated when the light turns red. Cars making a right turn or going through the intersection trigger the camera and are filmed. These video captures are reviewed by NBV police personnel and the reviewing officer determines if a violation occurred.

The owner of the car receives a violation notice, along with a web site address to review the video of the offense. If the owner of the car chooses to dispute the notice, the owner has the option of a hearing with the magistrate. The magistrate determines if the violation occurred.

The Fines: - The fine is $110 if paid within 30 days, $125 after that. If the owner of the vehicle has requested a review, the late fee is held in abeyance.

The Infraction: - This is a code infraction, not a traffic infraction, so the owner does not get points on the DMV record. It is legally similar to a parking ticket.

The Witness: - the witness is the reviewing officer. Similar to other code infractions, parking, dumping etc. video evidence is generally considered acceptable in lieu of eyewitness testimony.

NBVPD Contact: - Email Lt. Steve McVay for procedural questions or City Manager Matthew Schwartz for policy concerns.