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Smile: Pines phasing in cameras to catch drivers running red lights

Pines phasing in devices to stop drivers running red lights

BY JOE KOLLIN | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

April 13, 2008

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PEMBROKE PINES - A picture may be worth a thousand words, but in this city its value could be much higher.

Police say three traffic cameras now being installed on Pines Boulevard at Southwest 129th Avenue will save lives. The cameras, the first of their kind in Broward County, are designed to catch drivers running red lights and will become operational on Wednesday.

Owners of vehicles running the light will face a $125 fine once a six-month grace period expires.

"It will improve safety and eventually decrease the number of accidents and red-light running," Pembroke Pines Assistant Police Chief Kenneth Hall said Thursday.

Hall said he expects an initial increase in the number of rear-enders as motorists brake quickly when they realize a camera is present but said drivers eventually will get used to them.

To ease that problem, American Traffic Solutions, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based firm, will post signs warning "Photo Enforcement Ahead" for drivers approaching the intersection. The city is also requiring the firm to run radio and television ads as part of its three-year contract.

When fully implemented in six months, cameras will be used at a total of four intersections with the city's annual share of the fine revenue estimated at $1 million. ATS pays for the equipment and installation. It also will process and mail citations after police review each picture. Officials haven't decided on which other intersections will get cameras.

Mayor Frank Ortis said all money the city makes will be used to improve public safety.

The state Legislature, which has refused to allow cameras for about 10 years, may be on the verge of changing that position. Two bills (HB 351, CS/SB 816) are receiving serious attention and could pass before the annual 60-day session ends next month.

The city is getting around the state's ban by citing vehicle owners for violations of a city red light code. Currently, officers cite drivers for violating state traffic law. Owners who show they weren't driving won't be required to pay.

Instead of going to traffic court, owners who contest the citations will argue their cases before a special master for code enforcement. Violators will get no points against their licenses and insurance companies won't be told.

If the violator doesn't pay the fine and owns property in the city, a lien will be filed. If the violator doesn't own property in the city, a lawsuit will be the only way to collect, City Attorney Sam Goren said.

Because of the state prohibition, cameras can't be placed on state roads, such as on Pines Boulevard. The city is getting around that by putting the cameras on city-owned property alongside Pines Boulevard.

Also because of the state prohibition, the county won't let the city use existing poles or affix cameras into the boxes alongside the road that control the signals. City Engineer Joseph S. McLaughlin said the ATS system works without a link to the control box.

McLaughlin said he, ATS and the police department selected the Pines Boulevard/129th Avenue intersection for the first cameras because it has a "very high traffic volume, very high amount of red light running and we have a piece of property there."

The three also will decide the other locations.

Installation of the first system should be complete by Wednesday, McLaughlin said.

"Hopefully, this will be the first step in the process of saving lives in Pembroke Pines," said Ortis, who has been instrumental in the city adopting the ordinance.

Joe Kollin can be reached at jkollin@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7913.