St. Pete Times reporter John Barry took a look at how the red-light running camera works in Temple Terrace.
Cameras are installed at the intersection of 56th St. and Bullard Pkway (aka Busch Blvd. AND Temple Terrace Highway) as well as the intersection of Fowler Av. and 56th St.
Most of the offenders are turning “Right on Red.” The problem is that they don’t come to a complete stop first. If you do roll through the intersection without stopping, your picture is taken, and technically, you have broken the law. But an officer reviews every video taken, and sometimes lets you slide.
Still, Temple Terrace mailed over 4,000 violations in that first month. And some USF students are not amused.
Want to avoid a ticket? Come to a COMPLETE stop AT the stop line, and count to three. Then look both ways – especially RIGHT, where there may be a pedestrian or bicyclist coming through with the right of way, and especially LEFT, where a car could be coming to slam into you – and proceed carefully.
dreaming
1 year ago
seems like extremely selective enforcement. if the cops dont have cameras at every intersection, then this seems arbitrary.
some lawyer could probably have a field day with this. its obviously just a money making gimmick for temple terrace. taxpayers should be outraged.
Steven Tamayo
1 year ago
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081222-dont-like-speed-cameras-use-them-to-punk-your-enemies.html
tim
1 year ago
God forbid the police actually enforce the law. That area of town has the worst driving I’ve ever seen, and I’m happy people are getting busted for putting the rest of us in danger.
Mike
1 year ago
Hey, Tommy!
One thing to point out from a cycling standpoint …
A cyclist, even in the right of way, would not be coming from your right, but from your left. Cyclists are not considered pedestrians, but instead non-motorized vehicles, so they would travel with the flow of traffic from the left.
If a cyclist is coming from the right, then THEY are breaking the law. If they are riding on the sidewalk, then if they were coming to a crosswalk, they are required, by law, to get off their bike and walk it through the crosswalk, thus making them a pedestrian.
One thing I have always shared with people … never, ever, ever ride in front of a car that is stopped unless you have made eye contact with the driver to make sure he knows your there. Even if you have the right of way. Because in a battle between a car and a bike, I think the two-ton motorized metal contraption has the advantage.
I am not sure what I feel about traffic light cameras. I have yet to see anything that definitively says this stops red-light running, but it might still be too early to determine that for sure as I bet people getting red-light running tickets in the mail may eventually get them all to think twice.
But for now, it seems a lot like a money-making scheme. 4,000 tickets times $200 is $800,000 a month. Looks like no more budget shortfalls in TT, eh? =P
Mike
1 year ago
I read the story, and I stand corrected about the amount of money it generates. It’s $100 per ticket (since it’s half the actual fine) and TT only gets 60 percent or so.
So, civil infractions can now be assessed by private companies?
Toby Bo
1 year ago
The best way to avoid the fine is to avoid Temple Terrace.I got busted making a right on red and the letter they send has photos of the tag.They have a website with video of the offense and online payment for a fee.Tampa police are hammers looking for a nail as well so I just stay on I-275.The sadistic junction by the airport shows sociopaths are in charge.I am dreaming for global warming to put this town underwater.
GKR
1 year ago
1) dreaming: the intent is to have cameras looking in all directions at 56th St and Bullard, and Fowler and 56th Street, the camera company needs to gain access to the ROWs first
2) tim: all the feedback I’ve heard highlight that folks definitely appreciate the fact that those breaking the law are coughing up the dough, maybe they’ll think twice next time?
3) Mike: I don’t think they’ve ticketed any cyclists yet, sure it’s a money making scheme, and a dam smart one, lawbreakers are paying for their mistakes to the benefit of the community–novel concept!
4) Toby Bo: please everyone, avoid Temple Terrace, we have too much traffic as it is. Temple Terrace won’t be underwater as it’s the highest point in Hillsborough County.
Toby Bo
1 year ago
My relative got a ticket in Temple Terrace for violating the “Move Over Act”.When a police car is on the side of the road with the lights flashing one is required to change lanes and slow down.
That ticket adds points and raises insurance and makes Mel’s Hot Dogs an expensive lunch.Law and order voters are selective because they want police picking on the weak but not regulators picking on the strong.
Perhaps Temple Terrace can post a sign at the city limits stating that entry is an admission of guilt.Staying in town is agreement that the terms are accepted.Any investment has risks so read the prospectus carefully.