Florida Panel Gives Green Light to Red Light Camera Bill

A Florida House panel has given the green light to a bill that would set requirements for the use of automatic cameras to fine owners of vehicles that run red lights.

The measure, approved by the Roads, Bridges & Ports Policy Committee, would set civil fines at $150.

The owner would be fined regardless of who was driving. That’s the same way Florida assesses fines for toll violations.

Owners could appeal. They would not, though, get points against their driver licenses, and insurance companies couldn’t use the violations to raise premiums or cancel coverage.

The bill (HB 439) has been assigned to four more House committees. A similar measure (SB 2004) has not yet had a committee hearing in the Senate.