Florida Shortens Yellow Lights, Red-Light Camera Tickets Surge
The Washington PostBy Richard Read
May 17, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/florida-shortens-yellow-lights-red-light-camera-tickets-surge/2013/05/16/add4df08-be39-11e2-b537-ab47f0325f7c_story.html
Summary:
Florida used to have a law that stated yellow light times be based on the speed limit or the speed at which drivers were actually going, whichever was greater. 10 News found out that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) removed “whichever was greater” from the language of the law, which lead to shorter yellow-light times. The Florida Department of Transportation says that it reaps no financial benefit from red-light cams and had no incentive to trim yellow-light times. red-light cameras generated $100 million for Florida last year, and they're on track to haul in $120 million in 2013.Opinion:
The Florida Department of Transportation says that it reaps no financial benefit from red-light cams and had no incentive to trim yellow-light times. However, I agree that red-light cameras do make roads safer. It can also contribute to the government revenue. I personally think that curtailing yellow-light times can do just the opposite. Yellow-light actually allows people to be cautious the red-light beforehand.
Florida should consider the financial benefit.
ReplyDeletePeople should think for their safety when they cross the crosswalk.
ReplyDeleteWow... that's amount of money for fine... It means that people do not take care of this problem seriously!
ReplyDeleteRegardless of speed, lengthening yellow light period is much better than shortening it. Though people tend to accelerate when light suddenly turns from green to yellow, people would not try to break the law if the fine for red light camera goes up extremely high.
ReplyDeleteYeah, seriously the safety while we are driving is really important. I think Florida did a good job and I hope people to keep that rule!
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice little tactic to earn some extra money from fines. I guess Florida's government needed a lot of money quickly.
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