By Regan McCarthy
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-990362.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Senate transportation committee is considering whether changes need to be made to the state's Red light camera law, which fines motorists 158-dollars when they're caught running a light on camera. Regan McCarthy reports some say the cameras make intersections safer while opponents say there are other steps that can be taken to ensure driver safety.
Senator Jim Norman, a Republican from Tampa supports the use of red light cameras. He says they make intersections safer and, in some circumstances, can even be used by law enforcement officers to investigate crimes like hit and runs.
"My sheriff comes to me and emphatically supports this action of having these on our roads. And I was also a commissioner that installed them in Hillsborough County."
On the other side of the issue, Ronda Storms the timing of traffic lights could be manipulated to give drivers more tickets. Committee chair Jack Latvala says the committee will look into the timing concerns, meanwhile another House member says he'd like the legislature to take a second look at a bill that would repeal that state's red light camera law.