TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF RED LIGHT CAMERAS

BODY
WHEREAS, recent crash statistics show that there were 206,000 accidents nationwide related to running red lights, with nearly 1,000 deaths and 176,000 injuries; and
WHEREAS, red light cameras can help reduce the running of red lights by automatically photographing vehicles whose drivers run red lights; and
WHEREAS, studies in California and Virginia have shown that red light cameras can reduce running of red lights by approximately 40 percent; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration has concluded that red light cameras can be an effective measure to prevent running of red lights and encourages the use of red light cameras; and
WHEREAS, Florida law already authorizes the use of cameras to enforce toll collections on the Florida Turnpike System and other toll roads; and
WHEREAS, during the 2009 session, both the House and Senate passed versions of red light camera bills, but in the end, no identical bill passed both chambers,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to pass legislation authorizing the use of red light cameras.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2010 State Legislative Package.