DaveInDaytona
10-01-2005, 09:05 PM
Now if they would just start enforcing the law.
Red-light runners face stiffer fines beginning today
By JIM HAUG
Staff Writer
Last update: October 01, 2005
Motorists used to paying more at the pump should get ready for a different kind of sticker shock today, but only if they're reckless at intersections.
Fines for running a red light will increase by $65, pushing the total bill per violation to the $180 range for Volusia and Flagler counties.
The state is cracking down after red-light violations contributed to 96 fatalities last year, including 2-year-old and 5-year-old sisters killed in their stroller in Orange County.
The girls' deaths inspired the Florida Legislature to pass the Velez Memorial Act. The law also increases the points penalty from three to four per traffic signal violation. Motorists who accumulate 12 points will have their licenses suspended.
Deputy Jay Hawman of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said the points penalty will probably impact violators more than the stiff fines. "I know if I can't drive I will lose my job," Hawman said.
The deputy is already used to sticker stock.
"People say, 'Yeah, yeah, I know, I ran a red light,' " he said. "Then there's that look on their face when they see the fine."
"There's a good reason it's high," the deputy continued. "If it's just a slap on the wrist, (people are like) 'oh well'."
The message, of course, is that "yellow means to slow down. Red means absolutely to stop, not to speed up. That's how the majority of these accidents are happening," said Ernie Duarte, the chief information officer for the Florida Highway Patrol.
Red-light violations typically contribute to "T-bone collisions." These are often deadly crashes since the thin car door, the seat belt and air bag provide little protection to a driver slammed from the side, Duarte said.
At the City Island Court House on Thursday, traffic ticket payers moaned about the high price of fines, but they made exceptions for traffic signal violations.
"Everybody knows you don't a run red light," said Lacie Miller, 25, of Daytona Beach.
Terry Teater, 22, of Daytona Beach, paid $172 last year for a speeding ticket. This year, he is paying $205 for a similar violation. Despite the inflation, he's not blaming anybody but himself.
"I was talking on the cell phone, arguing with my girlfriend, I wasn't paying attention," Teater said about his last speeding ticket.
"If people are running red lights, they should be punished," he said.
Trauma centers are a designated beneficiary of the new revenue from the increase in fines. State analysts expect the state's trauma trust fund to get an additional $7.5 million this fiscal year and $15 million more next year.
The Halifax Medical Center welcomes the money, but a spokeswoman said they're not sure yet how much they'll receive.
Besides the hit to the wallets, technology is also putting the screws to red-light violators. The state Department of Transportation has set up simple devices known as confirmation lights at major intersections around the state and locally.
A white light atop a traffic signal is on when the traffic light is red. A police officer looking at the intersection from a different angle can tell when a driver violates the law, Deputy Hawman said.
"I've made traffic stops because of it."
By the numbers :
$180.50
Fine for running a red light in Volusia County starting Saturday
$183.50
Fine for running a red light in Flagler County starting Saturday
800
Average annual deaths nationally in crashes involving red-light running
96
Number of deaths in Florida, 2004, in crashes involving red-light running
200,000+
Average number of injuries each year nationally in red-light crashes
6,341
Number of injuries in Florida, 2004, in red-light crashes
Red-light runners face stiffer fines beginning today
By JIM HAUG
Staff Writer
Last update: October 01, 2005
Motorists used to paying more at the pump should get ready for a different kind of sticker shock today, but only if they're reckless at intersections.
Fines for running a red light will increase by $65, pushing the total bill per violation to the $180 range for Volusia and Flagler counties.
The state is cracking down after red-light violations contributed to 96 fatalities last year, including 2-year-old and 5-year-old sisters killed in their stroller in Orange County.
The girls' deaths inspired the Florida Legislature to pass the Velez Memorial Act. The law also increases the points penalty from three to four per traffic signal violation. Motorists who accumulate 12 points will have their licenses suspended.
Deputy Jay Hawman of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said the points penalty will probably impact violators more than the stiff fines. "I know if I can't drive I will lose my job," Hawman said.
The deputy is already used to sticker stock.
"People say, 'Yeah, yeah, I know, I ran a red light,' " he said. "Then there's that look on their face when they see the fine."
"There's a good reason it's high," the deputy continued. "If it's just a slap on the wrist, (people are like) 'oh well'."
The message, of course, is that "yellow means to slow down. Red means absolutely to stop, not to speed up. That's how the majority of these accidents are happening," said Ernie Duarte, the chief information officer for the Florida Highway Patrol.
Red-light violations typically contribute to "T-bone collisions." These are often deadly crashes since the thin car door, the seat belt and air bag provide little protection to a driver slammed from the side, Duarte said.
At the City Island Court House on Thursday, traffic ticket payers moaned about the high price of fines, but they made exceptions for traffic signal violations.
"Everybody knows you don't a run red light," said Lacie Miller, 25, of Daytona Beach.
Terry Teater, 22, of Daytona Beach, paid $172 last year for a speeding ticket. This year, he is paying $205 for a similar violation. Despite the inflation, he's not blaming anybody but himself.
"I was talking on the cell phone, arguing with my girlfriend, I wasn't paying attention," Teater said about his last speeding ticket.
"If people are running red lights, they should be punished," he said.
Trauma centers are a designated beneficiary of the new revenue from the increase in fines. State analysts expect the state's trauma trust fund to get an additional $7.5 million this fiscal year and $15 million more next year.
The Halifax Medical Center welcomes the money, but a spokeswoman said they're not sure yet how much they'll receive.
Besides the hit to the wallets, technology is also putting the screws to red-light violators. The state Department of Transportation has set up simple devices known as confirmation lights at major intersections around the state and locally.
A white light atop a traffic signal is on when the traffic light is red. A police officer looking at the intersection from a different angle can tell when a driver violates the law, Deputy Hawman said.
"I've made traffic stops because of it."
By the numbers :
$180.50
Fine for running a red light in Volusia County starting Saturday
$183.50
Fine for running a red light in Flagler County starting Saturday
800
Average annual deaths nationally in crashes involving red-light running
96
Number of deaths in Florida, 2004, in crashes involving red-light running
200,000+
Average number of injuries each year nationally in red-light crashes
6,341
Number of injuries in Florida, 2004, in red-light crashes