Changes to red-light cameras effective June 1

Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon told Historic City News reporters last week that he has concerns about the people at American Traffic Solutions — the company who shares revenue with the city from 43 traffic cameras installed at 27 intersections in Palm Coast.

While Philip McDaniel had our Florida Representatives, Travis Hutson and Ronald Renuart, and State Senator, John Thrasher, tied up changing Florida laws to allow the sale of liquor at his Riberia Street distillery in St Augustine, American Traffic Solutions was busy with a contingent of 22 lobbyists of its own; working lawmakers as bills came up that would ban red-light cameras or substantially rewrite the laws governing their use.

American Traffic Solutions reportedly gave $100,000 to the Democratic and Republican parties in the months leading up to the last session. It is not known how much money McDaniel spent lobbying the long-time Republican legislators after he recently changed his, his wife’s, and his children’s party affiliation, from Democrat to Republican just before the November General Election.

Revenue from the un-manned red-light cameras in Florida’s 70 cities and counties where they are installed is close to $50-million-a-year; in Palm Coast, the city received $4,500 in revenue during April. The cameras generate a $158 fine with a 67-percent late fee if you don’t pay within 30 days, or, as much as $405 if you challenge the ticket through the administrative appeals process — and lose.

“Big Brother is watching you drive in Palm Coast,” some residents are telling reporters. “We are living in the red-light ticketing capital of Flagler County.”

At the forefront of complaints, at least in Palm Coast, is that red-light ticket recipients are mailing their checks to the private company located in Tempe, Arizona. According to Landon, there are recurring complaints from citizens — including accusations that the company is delaying the posting of their payment in order to invoke the huge late fee.

“It’s happening too often,” Landon said. “We’re getting too many of these complaints.”

Landon’s not alone in his concerns — some elected city officials believe the resident’s complaints are credible, as well.

“The appearance and opportunity for self-serving delays are too numerous,” one councilman told Historic City News. Because of some very vocal recent controversies, he asked not to be named. “A profit-making company is seen by many as having too fast a trigger finger and intentionally able to delay payments for the sake of bonus income.”

“The revenue motive should not drive law enforcement, and I believe public respect for the law suffers when people suspect that motive is the main reason why people get tickets and fines,” Florida Republican Senator Jeff Brandes stated to reporters.

Even though Brandes was unsuccessful in an all-out ban on the red-light cameras this session, effective on July 1, drivers will have 60-days, instead of 30-days, to pay the fine without a penalty. Also, tickets are prohibited from being issued to motorists who make a complete stop before making a right turn.