Special Thanks to www.stpetecameras.org for the link!

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/letters/article1175899.ece

Red-light cameras

Why I voted against camera enforcement in my city

On June 14 the St. Pete Beach City Commission voted 4-1 to repeal the city's red-light camera ordinance. I voted with the majority for the following reasons.

First let's start with what we know: Red-light cameras generally result in an increase in rear-end collisions. I guess the theory of the camera providers is that this is acceptable because of a supposed reduction in fatalities related to red-light running.

But Etienne Pracht, an associate professor in the department of health policy and management at the University of South Florida, states:

"Regardless of the suggested impact of (red-light cameras), what remains true is that engineering solutions (light timing) are by far the most significant and effective approach the city can take to enhance safety. Consider that adding a single second to the yellow light interval can reduce red-light running between 80 and 100 percent. If, in addition to that, an all-red interval of 2-3 seconds is implemented to allow the intersection to clear completely, the potential for crashes can be virtually eliminated."

I'm convinced that red-light cameras are simply a tool to generate revenue under the guise of safety. It's all about the money, so let's just call it what it is: a tax, which causes rear-end collisions and gives just 20 percent of the take to the city.

Marvin Shavlan, city commissioner, St. Pete Beach

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