Res 78-05
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RESOLUTION NO. 78-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CIlY COMMISSION OF THE CIlY
OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE USE OF
RED LIGHT CAMERAS.
WHEREAS, entering an intersection after the light has turned red, or "red light running" is
one of the major causes of crashes, deaths, and injuries at signalized intersections; and
WHEREAS, the monetary impact of crashes to our society is approximately $14 billion
annually; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies illustrate that the use of red light cameras to issue traffic
citations reduces crashes in signalized intersections; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration promotes red light cameras as a viable
strategy to reduce red light running and the resulting loss of life or injuty; and
WHEREAS, local governments are responsible for citizen safety generally, and traffic safety
and enforcement specifically; and
WHEREAS, local government should be able to protect their citizens - using technology
and their home rule authority, and use red light cameras at signalized intersections to issue traffic
citations; and
WHEREAS, local government efforts to install red light cameras at intersections have been
stymied by legal determinations that such cameras cannot be used to issue traffic citations; and
WHEREAS, despite strong local government support, bills introduced in the legislature to
authorize the use of red light cameras for traffic safety by local governments have not been enacted;
and
WHEREAS, as loss of life and injuty are occurring each day as a result of red light running,
local governments can collaborate about the urgency and importance of this issue to the State
Legislature.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CIlY COMMISSION OF THE
CIlY OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, DOES HEREBY:
Section 1. Support the use of red light cameras at selected signalized intersections to
reduce crashes that result in the loss of life and injuty.
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Section 2. Urge the State Legislature to enact a law allowing local governments to protect
their citizens by using red light cameras at signalized intersections to issue traffic citations and
thereby encourage driving safety.
Section 3. Recognize the value of a coalition, of county and municipal governments, to
urge immediate action by the Legislature to change the law, to prevent further loss of life and injuty
to our citizens.
Section 4. Urge all 67 counties and 410 municipalities to join us in creating a Green light
for Red light Camera Enforcement Coalition to demonstrate local governments' strong support for
the enactment of legislation authorizing the use of red light cameras at signalized intersections.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11 th day of October, 2005.
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ATTEST:
C~~'1Y\.1{~
Acting ity Clerk
2
RES. NO. 78-05
ff1
RESOLUTION NO. 78-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE USE OF
RED LIGHT CAMERAS.
WHEREAS, entering an intersection after the light has turned red, or "red light running" is
one of the major causes of crashes, deaths, and injuries at signalized intersections; and
WHEREAS, the monetary impact of crashes to our society is approximately $14 billion
annually; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies illustrate that the use of red light cameras to issue traffic
citations reduces crashes in signalized intersections; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration promotes red light cameras as a viable
strategy to reduce red light running and the resulting loss of life or injury; and
WHEREAS, local governments are responsible for citizen safety generally, and traffic safety
and enforcement specifically; and
WHEREAS, local government should be able to protect their citizens - using technology
and their home rule authority, and use red light cameras at signalized intersections to issue traffic
citations; and
WHEREAS, local government efforts to install red light cameras at intersections have been
stymied by legal determinations that such cameras cannot be used to issue traffic citations; and
WHEREAS, despite strong local government support, bills introduced in the legislature to
authorize the use of red light cameras for traffic safety by local governments have not been enacted;
and
WHEREAS, as loss of life and injury are occurring each day as a result of red light running,
local governments can collaborate about the urgency and importance of this issue to the State
Legislature.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, DOES HEREBY:
Section 2. Urge the State Legislature to enact a law allowing local governments to protect
their citizens by using red light cameras at signalized intersections to issue traffic citations and
thereby encourage driving safety.
Section 3. Recognize the value of a coalition, of county and municipal governments, to
urge immediate action by the Legislature to change the law, to prevent further loss of life and injury
to our citizens.
Section 4. Urge all 67 counties and 410 municipalities to join us in creating a Green Light
for Red Light Camera Enforcement Coalition to demonstrate local governments' strong support for
the enactment of legislation authorizing the use of red light cameras at signalized intersections.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11'" day of October, 2005.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
2
RES. NO. 78-05
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SARASOTA COUN'fY
"Dedicated to Quallty Service"
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1660 Ringllng Boulevard
Sarasota, Florida 34236
Telephone 941-861-5344
Fax 941-861-5987
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Sep<<rrnber20,2005
RECEIVED
S'EP 2 02005
CITY MANAGER
The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed the enclosed resolution (2005 - 197),
"Green Light for Red Light Cameras" on Sept. 14,2005.
On behalf of the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners, we are sharing our resolution with you and
encourage the elected leadership of your community to actively endorse and support this resolution or one
similar to it; joining with us in the creation of a "Green Light for Red Light Cameras" coalition.
Local governments cannot now use cameras to document and issue citations to drivers who run red lights
because of antiquated language in the Uniform Traffic Code. Existing language states that citations can
be issued when an officer "observes the commission of a traffic infraction."
Technological innovations have improved numerous aspects of public safety:
. Camera security for buildings
. Traffic signal management for emergency vehicles
. Intersection cameras to optimize traffic flows
Cameras already are used to catch lawbreakers if a driver attempts to leave a Florida Toll Facility without
paying the toll. Cameras record the incident and a ticket is issued to the vehicle's owner. Local
governments simply seek the same authority.
While the cost of public safety is increasing, it's wise and logical to allow local governments to use
cameras to issue citations for red light running. Traffic cameras have the potential to improve driver
safety and better utilize law enforcement personnel - if the code language allows it.
The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners believes that the collective voice of local governments can
change an outdated code. We urge you to support the attached "Green Light for Red Light Cameras"
resolution and forward your endorsement directly to your legislative delegation. If you would, please
provide us with a copy.
Sincerely,
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PAUL H. MERCIER, C.C.C.
Chairman, Sarasota County Commission
c: Honorable Members, Sarasota County Commission
Honorable Welton Cadwell, President, Florida Association of Counties
Honorable Clay Ford, President, Florida League of Cities
Paul H. Mercier, District 1 David R. Mills, District 2
pmercier@scgov.net dmills@scgov,net
Shannon Staub, District 3 Nora Patterson, District 4
sstaub@scgov.net npatters@scgov.net
Jon Thaxton, District 5
jlhaxlon@scgov.net
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for Red light Cameras
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Resolution #2005 - 197
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA
RE: Support for Use of Red Light Cameras
Whereas, entering an intersection after the light hos turned red, or "red light running" is one of
the major causes of croshes, deaths, and injuries at signalized intersections; and
Whereas, the monetary impact of crashes to our society is approximately $14 billion annually; and
Whereas, numerous studies illustrate that the use of red light cameros to issue traffic citations
reduces croshes in signalized intersections; and
Whereas, the Federal Highway Administration promotes red light cameras as a viable strategy
to reduce red light running and the resulting loss of life or injury; and
Whereas, local governments are responsible for citizen safety generally, and troffic safety and
enforcement specifically; and
Whereas, local governments should be able to protect their citizens - using technology and their
home rule authority, and use red light cameras at signalized intersections to issue traffic citotions; and
Whereas, local government efforts to install red light cameras at intersections have been stymied
by legal determinations that such cameras cannot be used to issue traffic citations; and
Whereas, despite strong local government support, bills introduced in the legislature to authorize
the use of red light cameras for traffic sofety by local governments has not been enacted: and
Whereas, as loss of life and injury are occuring each day as a result of red light running, local
governments con colloborate about the urgency and importance of this issue to the State Legislature.
-
reen I
lor Red light Cameras
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOlVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOlLOWS:
SECTION 1. Support the use of red light cameros at selected signalized intersections to reduce crashes
that result in the loss of life and injury.
SECTION 2. Urge the State Legislature to enact a law allowing local govemments to protect their
citizens by using red light cameras at signalized intersections to issue traffic citations and thereby
encouroge driving safety.
SECTION 3. Recognize the value of a coalition, of county and municipal governments, to urge immediate
action by the Legislature to change the law, to prevent further loss of life and injury to our citizens.
SECTION 4. Urge all 67 counties and 410 municipalities to join us in creoting a Green Light for Red
Light Camera Enforcement Coalition to demonstrate local governments' strong support for the enactment
of legislation authorizing the use of red light cameros at signalized intersections.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA, this 14th day of September, 2005.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA
AnEST'
KAREN E. RUSHING, Clerk of the
CircuIt Court and Ex-OffIcio Clerk
of the Board of County Commlsalonen
of Sarasota County, florida
by: PCUALH. MeY'cief"
Chairman
by:
Deputy Clerk
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