May 19, 2013
Panama City - Representative Jimmy Patronis is co-sponsoring a bill to stop the use of red light cameras. The bill was filed earlier this month by Senator Rene Garcia from south Florida.
A growing number of Florida cities and counties are using red light camera to catch drivers running red lights.
The camera's can generate money not only for local governments but also the state. Representative Jimmy Patronis is co-sponsoring a bill that would eliminate the use of cameras to enforce the law. If the bill passes, all red light cameras would be removed from state roads by July.
"At the end of the day it's about safety it's not about making money and unfortunately with the way red light camera's are evolving in the state of Florida there turning into money makers and I don't see the need of generating revenue off of citizens off of a device such as a red light camera. It's just a poor way to make a living," said patronis.
Representative Patronis says he has talked to local law enforcement about the issue.
"What I found was refreshing that local law enforcement made the comments that red light cameras if we had them in Bay County should be revenue neutral," said Patronis.
There are about 50 traffic camera's in Bay County, but the cameras are only used to check traffic flow, not enforce the law.
The bill is to only do away with red light cameras. The county is planning to extend their Intelligent Traffic System with a grant from the State Department of Transportation.
