Red light running campaign moves on

SARASOTA - A bill that was stopped dead in its tracks is back on the road to the Florida House of Representatives.

For the past 6 months, Sarasota County officials have been counting the number of people who run red lights. Officials plan to give that information to state legislators hoping they will make it legal to use cameras to catch red light runners.

For the past three years, State Representative Ron Reagan has been trying to build his case for cameras. He wants to make the red light camera legal in the Florida. He hasn't had much luck getting his proposed bill passed, but now he's getting more ammunition to help his fight.

During the red light camera campaign in Sarasota County, more than 800 drivers have been caught on camera running red lights. Reagan says that's picture-perfect proof that red light running is a problem. He hopes this new information will convince lawmakers in Tallahassee to make red light cameras legal in Florida.

Right now, the law says that camera can't be used to ticket drivers because a live officer has to witness the traffic violation, but Reagan says live officers can't control the red light running problem alone.

"I do believe the red light running is an epidemic in Florida. Everywhere I travel I've seen a tremendous number of people who violate red lights. We have a opportunity to use modern technology to do good for the public," says Reagan.

Reagan says 115 cities in the U.S. use red light cameras, and they have decreased the number of red light runners by 90 percent.

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