HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-17-0025City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution R-17-0025
File Number: 1559
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date: 1/12/2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR
RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
SUPPORT SENATE BILL 178, AND ACCOMPANYING HOUSE BILL 6007, THAT
PROPOSES A REPEAL OF FLORIDA'S MARK WANDALL TRAFFIC SAFETY
ACT AND THE ELIMINATION OF RED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAMS IN THE
STATE OF FLORIDA; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF
THIS RESOLUTION TO GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS OF
THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, in 2010, the Florida Legislature enacted the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act
authorizing the use of traffic infraction detectors, commonly known as "Red Light Cameras", and
expressly preempting to the State the regulation and use of traffic infraction detectors; and
WHEREAS, in its December 2015 Red Light Camera Report, the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles ("DHSMV") reported showing an increase of automobile
collisions at intersections with traffic infraction detectors; and
WHEREAS, the DHSMV surveyed 71 local governments using traffic infraction detectors
at 276 intersections across Florida and revealed that the total number of automobile collisions at
the intersections increased by 14.65% after the traffic infraction detectors were installed (i.e.,
3,453 crashes without the cameras and 3,959 after installation); and
WHEREAS, the DHSMV report also showed rear -end automobile collisions at the red-
light camera intersections increased by 10.18%, automobile collisions with serious injuries
increased by 29.31 % and automobile collisions involving bikes and pedestrians increased by
16.75%; and
WHEREAS, these traffic infraction violations carry a $158.00 penalty, however, when the
penalty is enforced by local government, $75.00 is retained by the local government and $83.00
is deposited with the Department of Revenue ("DOR") who subsequently distributes the penalty
by depositing $70.00 in the General Revenue Fund, $10.00 in the Department of Health
("DOH") Administrative Trust Fund, and $3.00 in the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund;
and
WHEREAS, in a survey of local governments that operate a red light camera program,
the Office of Policy Analysis & Governmental Accountability ("OPPAGA") reported that of the
$75.00 retained by local governments, approximately 49% of the monetary penalty goes to the
red light camera vendor; and
WHEREAS, OPPAGA also reported that 76% of the net money retained by the local
governments goes into a "general fund" that could be used for any government function, while
only 14% was identified as being directly spent on public safety, law enforcement, or road
improvements; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 1559 (Revision:) Printed On: 5/3/2017
File ID: 1559
Enactment Number: R-17-0025
WHEREAS, the red light camera programs operating under the Mark Wandall Traffic
Safety Act are more of a revenue source for local governments and vendors than a traffic safety
program; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 178, and accompanying House Bill 6007, proposes to repeal the
Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act and amend various provisions of law by removing the
authorization of a county or municipality to install and use traffic infraction detectors, which are
currently used in the City of Miami, to enforce specified provisions of traffic laws by
automatically photographing vehicles when a driver fails to yield a red light;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission urges Governor Rick Scott and the members of the
Florida Legislature to pass Senate Bill 178 and House Bill 6007, repealing the red-light
programs authorized under the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act relating to the installation and
use of traffic infraction detectors to enforce specified provisions when a driver fails to stop at a
traffic signal.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to Governor
Rick Scott and all members of the Florida Legislature.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.'
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
1
&1416 ndez, City Attor ey 1/3/2017
' If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 1559 (Revision:) Printed on: 5/3/2017