Lawmakers to consider turning off red light cameras in Florida

TALLAHASSEE (WWSB) - Another effort to turn off red-light cameras is on the move in the Florida House.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee voted 12-1 on Wednesday to support a measure that calls for a repeal of the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program law.

The law is named after a man who was killed by a red-light runner.

It passed in 2010 and allowed red-light cameras across the state.

Rep. Anthony Sabatini is sponsoring the measure to repeal the law.

Earlier this week, Sabatini told the House panel that the law isn't altering bad driving behavior and that it punishes working-class people with $158 tickets for taking a right on red, failing to stop or just barely crossing the line when a camera is at an intersection.

Sabatini says he'd be willing to amend the proposal so it wouldn't conflict with existing contracts that local governments may have with red-light camera companies.

As of December, 49 local governments in Florida had red-light cameras in operation, according to the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

A House staff analysis projected local governments could see a drop in revenue of an estimated $80 million a year if the measure is ultimately approved.

The House bill must still pass two committees before it could go to the full House during the upcoming session.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, filed a Senate version, which has not gone before any committees.