Where Will Sarasota's Red Light Cameras Be?

Smile for the camera—or better yet—stop.

Starting Thursday, the first of 10 approved red light cameras will start operating throughout the city of Sarasota. There is no grace period where warnings will be issued, Capt. Paul Sutton of the Sarasota Police Department said.

The first to be activated will be at Bahia Vista and Tuttle Avenue, according to the city's police department.

Sutton talked to Patch to learn how how the red light cameras will affect motorists:

Why does Sarasota have red light cameras?

There is overwhelming evidence that this program would make Sarasota intersections safer, Sutton said in June. It is crucial because from October 2005 – October 2010, 48 percent of traffic fatalities in Sarasota occurred at traffic signals.

The state passed a law that allowed all jurisdictions in Florida to have red light cameras; the program is called the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act.

Mark Wandall was a Sarasota resident who was hit and killed by a driver who ran a red light. His parents are Sarasota residents, Sutton said.

His wife, Melissa Wandall, was nine months pregnant when Wandall died. Their child was born two weeks later, Sutton said.

"She championed this program," he said.

The person who hit Mark was also cited a year earlier for running a red light, he said.

Wandall is buried at Palm Cemetery.

Will drivers identified by the red light cameras automatically receive a ticket?

"Before it's approved, it will be reviewed by an officer," Sutton said. The officer will review a video clip to see what happened in each case before issuing a violation.

What proof do drivers have that their vehicle was cited properly?

Every registered vehicle owner who receives a violation notice gets a number in the mail along with photos of their tags and a link to a website to view the video of the car running the red light, Sutton said. 

How much are the fines?

The state of Florida says $158 if caught by camera. But a police officer can still write you a ticket at any red light, and that's going to cost you more, Sutton said.

"If the registered car owner receives a citation, it could be higher—up to $500, and could include court costs if they decide to contest it," he said.

If motorists don't pay within 30 days, then a citation will be issued, Sutton said.

Who is responsible for the red light ticket?

The registered owner of the vehicle.

Is it possible to appeal a ticket issued by an automated system?

An affadavit comes with the citation to fill out. Some grounds include the driver was told by the police officer to go through the light; there was a crash at the intersection; the vehicle was stolen; or someone else was driving the vehicle, Sutton said.

If you say someone else operated the car, you have to send in that driver's information and the driver will receive the violation. Stolen vehicles also must be reported.

What if an officer issued the citation and not the red light camera?

You will receive the officer's citation, but will not receive a red light camera violation, Sutton said.

Are there further penalties, such as points on a license or reports made to insurance companies, resulting in higher rates?

No.

Where does the revenue go from the fines?

The majority of the fine goes to the state and to a trust fund for people with brain and spinal cord disorders.

What does the city get, and how much does the system cost?

Sutton said in June that from the red light cameras, which is “an extremely conservative estimate,” he said. 

The cost per camera, per month, is $4,750. Sutton said to cover the costs of the cameras, an average of 2.11 citations a day would have to be issued. American Traffic Solutions holds the contract.

How many tickets do the Sarasota Police Department issue?

From Nov. 1, 2010, to Oct. 31, 2011, officers issued 11,600 tickets, Sutton said.

Of those, about 700 were issued for "failure to obey a traffic control device," which can include running red lights, stop signs, yield sign, and speed limit signs, he said.

Will this help people stop running red lights with a more predictable traffic pattern?

"If we can get people to stop at red lights, it will improve the flow of traffic. ... It's synced based on the idea that people will stop at red lights."

Will the city adjust the timing of the yellow lights because of this program?

The police do not adjust the timing of the lights. That is a traffic engineer operation, and those times are definied by the Florida Department of Transporation and federal guidelines.