Give warnings for red light camera violations in the city of Tampa

Give warnings for red light camera violations in the city of Tampa

The Issue

Red light cameras have been banned in many Florida municipalities. In Tampa, not only are they still using this questionable technology, they are placed at intersections in locations that may unfairly target low income residents who have difficulty affording the unjust violations. There are no red light cameras on Davis Island, or in the wealthier communities. The red light cameras are primarily located at busy intersections in lower income communities, unjustly affecting those people living there. The technology itself is unable to identify drivers, only cars, making those individuals who may share a vehicle more likely to receive violations that they did not commit. The court also does not differentiate between car and driver, indiscriminatly upholding tickets when the owner of the car was not actually the driver, and places the burden of reimbursement for costs of tickets on the owner of the car. This is the job of the police or the city of Tampa to identify and cite the driver, not the owner of the vehicle. A simple warning system would allow increased safety at these intersections, while protecting low income communities from having to pay for unfair tickets and court costs while wealth communities do not bear this same burden. 

This petition had 28 supporters

The Issue

Red light cameras have been banned in many Florida municipalities. In Tampa, not only are they still using this questionable technology, they are placed at intersections in locations that may unfairly target low income residents who have difficulty affording the unjust violations. There are no red light cameras on Davis Island, or in the wealthier communities. The red light cameras are primarily located at busy intersections in lower income communities, unjustly affecting those people living there. The technology itself is unable to identify drivers, only cars, making those individuals who may share a vehicle more likely to receive violations that they did not commit. The court also does not differentiate between car and driver, indiscriminatly upholding tickets when the owner of the car was not actually the driver, and places the burden of reimbursement for costs of tickets on the owner of the car. This is the job of the police or the city of Tampa to identify and cite the driver, not the owner of the vehicle. A simple warning system would allow increased safety at these intersections, while protecting low income communities from having to pay for unfair tickets and court costs while wealth communities do not bear this same burden. 

The Decision Makers

City Of Tampa
City Of Tampa
City Council

Petition Updates