STOP ON RED FLORIDA PROGRAM

The City of St. Petersburg terminated the Stop On Red Program effective September 30, 2014

red-light camera law specifically says drivers do not have to come to a complete stop. Turns are legal if made in a "careful and prudent manner," a vague standard that has made strict enforcement difficult.
Some jurisdictions prosecute only egregious right-hand turns.

What sets off a red-light camera?

A laser sensor about the size of a hockey puck is embedded in the middle of each lane behind the white V"stop bar" line, which signifies the beginning of a signalized intersection.

If a car crosses the sensor at 10 mph or faster after the light has turned red, a wireless signal instructs both still and video cameras mounted on a pole to start capturing images, figuring that the driver cannot stop before the front tires cross the white bar.
Some jurisdictions use mechanical sensors to measure speed.

What constitutes a violation?

The still camera takes two photographs. A violation occurs if the first photo shows the car with its front tires behind the stop bar after the light has turned red and a second photo shows the car continuing into the intersection. The video captures the whole process.

Here's what the current Florida Statute regarding traffic control signal devices says:

"Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown;

The driver of a vehicle which is stopped at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection in obedience to a steady
red signal may make a right turn, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such right turn against a steady red signal at any intersection, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is erected in a location visible to traffic approaching the intersection."

The interpretation of this statute, based on the words "a vehicle which is stopped at a clearly marked stop line" is that a full stop is required before making a right turn on a red traffic signal.

The square sign that is posted atop traffic signals depicting a right-turn arrow with a slash mark across it can make things a tad confusing. The last part of the statute that's quoted is key here:
"except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such right turn against a steady red signal
at any intersection, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is erected in a location visible to traffic approaching the intersection." This means that right turns on red signals are not permitted when the right-turn with the slash sign is illuminated
this is in effect a county or municipal authority exercising the right to prohibit such turns,
which is why the special "no right turn on red" signs are installed at certain intersections.

The Florida Statutes are available online at

flsenate.gov/ statutes. Select Title XXIII, which covers all motor vehicle laws

A pedestrian is
someone afoot~~~riding a bicycle~~~on roller blades~~~or skateboard~~~
~~~ in a wheelchair~~~ motorized or manual~~~ or electric mobility scooters

WHAT SHADE OF RED WAS THAT AGAIN??
TURN OFF THOSE CAMERAS , I CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS

PLUS



Douglas Barton

New Port Richey Florida
anolog94@gmail.com