Red Light Camera News Florida lawmakers advance left lane, ticket cam rules
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Dec11/121911/122111-02.shtml
Florida lawmakers advance left lane, ticket cam rules
By Keith Goble, Land Line state legislative editor
Florida lawmakers are working through multiple bills of interest to truckers. Among them are left lane restrictions and new rules on ticket cameras.
The Senate Transportation Committee advanced one bill that is intended to keep most drivers out of the fast lane on Florida highways and reduce road rage in the process. The bill’s next stop is a Senate budget subcommittee.
Sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, the bill – S244 – would combat aggressive driving on the state’s multilane highways by reducing the number of drivers in the far left-hand lane. The issue has turned into an annual pursuit for supporters at the Florida statehouse.
The legislation historically has struggled because of concerns it would punish people who are driving the speed limit for not getting out of the way of speeders.
Dubbed the “Highway Safety Act,” it would give law enforcement more authority to ticket drivers who block traffic, even if they are driving the speed limit in the left lane. A failure to stay to the right would be included as one of the offenses that make up “aggressive careless driving.”
Travelers would be prohibited from driving in the left lane of a multilane highway when they are about to be overtaken by another vehicle.
Opponents say the bill is “code for increasing speed limits” and that it supports the actions of speeding drivers coming up behind slower drivers. Supporters say the measure would avert dangerous situations where frustrated motorists stuck behind a slower-moving vehicle try to pass on the right.
The bill also targets those drivers who get upset by slower moving vehicles. Tailgating and other risky maneuvers in response to slower drivers could result in $100 fines. Repeat offenders would face as much as a $500 fine and a mandatory court appearance for “aggressive careless driving.” Offenders also would receive points for each offense committed.
Another bill addresses the use of red-light cameras in the state. The House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee voted 12-1 to advance a bill that stops short of an outright ban on the cameras, but it could reduce the number of tickets issued.
Sponsored by Rep. Larry Ahern, R-St. Petersburg, HB33 calls for lengthening yellow light durations based on traffic speed. The standard would be three seconds at 25 mph, increasing by about one-half second for each additional 5 mph.
In addition, intersections with a posted speed more than 55 mph on approach, would be required to alert drivers.
Camera opponents say advance warning signs on all approaches to intersections equipped with automated enforcement would virtually solve the red-light running problem – in Florida and elsewhere.
The standards sought in HB33 would be required for all traffic lights by Dec. 31, 2012. The cost for state and local governments to meet the requirement is estimated at about $1.1 million.
The bill’s next stop is the House Appropriations Committee.
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