“Stop on Red” campaign continues in Sunny Isles Beach with the installation of Red-Light Cameras.

By: Corporal Brian Schnell, Public Information Officer, City of Sunny Isles Beach Police Department

Over the years I have noticed that “Red-light running” and other flagrant, hazardous traffic violations have resulted in serious car crashes and serious injuries or even death to drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Stopping and issuing citations for these violations helps to reduce the number of violations, but as is often said, “The police can’t be everywhere or write every violation.” 

With the focus on safety, and violation reduction, the City Commission passed a City ordinance allowing the use of traffic cameras in designated intersections within the city limits of Sunny Isles Beach.

On October 7, 2009, the cameras were activated at the intersections of 172nd Street and Collins Avenue, and 174th Street and Collins Avenue. A thirty day “warning period” began. All violators recorded during this warning period received a warning in the mail.  The “warning period” will end, and fines will begin on November 6, 2009.

Violations occurring on or after November 6, 2009 will result in civil fines, issued by the City of Sunny Isles Beach. The first violation will be $125, the second will be $250 and each subsequent violation will be $500. 

As soon as motorists learn that the cameras are in use, the number of violations will be significantly reduced. I say that not as an opinion, but as a fact illustrated by a survey conducted between 1994-2005 in New York City, New York.

ATS (American Traffic Solutions), the firm contracted to install these cameras, conducted this survey and found that after installing the cameras Red-light Violations declined by 72% while traffic collisions as a whole declined by 41%. In addition to these impressive statistics, traffic related fatalities declined by 35%. If a major city like New York, NY, had these results, it is certain that the City of Sunny Isles Beach will enjoy similar benefits!

“How does this work?” you might ask. It is really quite simple. Once operational, the cameras will record violations occurring in the chosen intersections. The images will then be received by the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department who will have an officer assigned to run the license plate of the vehicles, and subsequently issue the owner a civil citation by mailing them the citation.

“What if I am not driving and someone else runs a light in my car?”That is a question often asked. It is also quit simple. The owner of the car will receive the citation. It is a civil fine issued to the vehicle, very similar to a parking citation and NOT a traffic citation issued to the vehicle owner. If your friend ran the light, and your car receives a citation, you may certainly ask your friend to pay or seek legal actions (i.e., small claims court) against the driver.

I equate this to an incident I personally observed. A young man drove his mother’s car and parked in a space designated for people with a disability. The vehicle received a citation for $150.00. The young man chose not to tell his mother about the ticket. When she learned of the citation (via a not so friendly correspondence in the mail), she made the young man pay the fine.

“What about all these law suits I am hearing about, are these cameras legal?” Yes, these cameras are legal. As with most, new programs and safety devices, challenges are to be expected. As of now, these cameras are legal, and the subsequent warnings and fines are as well.  Certainly, if future court decisions change their legality, cities will address those issues and adhere to the law. 

“What if I am not guilty and want to fight the ticket, can I?” Yes.  These fines are civil fines, issued by the City. As with other fines, liens or similar matters anyone who receives the fine is entitled to contest the citation. These hearings are held in the David P. Samson Commission Chambers and are presided over by a Miami-Dade County Civil Magistrate. Instructions for contesting these fines will be clearly printed on the paperwork sent with the citations.
The thirty day “warning period” has given residents and visitors alike, the opportunity to become familiar with the red-light camera system. 

Before the citations begin, drivers have been encouraged to slow down, and stop. Citizens are also reminded of the cameras by street signs posted on Collins Avenue. The City’s goal is to reduce violations and improve the safety of the motoring and pedestrian traffic in Sunny Isles Beach. 

I encourage readers to learn more about the cameras and their effectiveness in other cities by visiting “ATS” at www.RedLightCamera.com. This link can be found on the Sunny Isles Beach website, which is www.sibfl.net where you can also find frequently asked questions (FAQs).

To reiterate, the police can’t be everywhere, but this will certainly be a valuable tool that will undoubtedly make Sunny Isles Beach even safer.