JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new report from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles takes a hard look at the effectiveness of red-light cameras.
The annual state report revealed an increase of crashes when it looked at a sample of 276 cameras across Florida.
Recommended Videos
In Jacksonville, the study analyzed 23 intersections with red-light cameras. From July 2013 to July 2014, there were a total 669 crashes at the intersections. The following year, the number of crashes at those intersections increased to 684.
Sheriff Mike Williams spoke to News4Jax about the report Wednesday. He said he believes that overall, the cameras do impact driving behavior for the better.
"I do know over time, drivers adjust and they quit having crashes, which is a good thing; that's what we want," Williams said. "Even if it saves one life it's worth it."
The study asked the city to self-report other information about its red-light cameras. The city says between July 2014 and July of 2015, 34,503 red-light violations were recorded. Of those, 1,848 were contested and dismissed by a judge.
Panel supports turning off red-light cameras
A House committee Thursday approved a bill that would bar local governments from using red-light cameras to cite motorists who don't properly stop at intersections.
The House Economic Affairs Committee backed the proposal (HB 4027), filed by Rep. Frank Artiles, a Miami Republican who has long opposed the cameras.
The bill would repeal a 2010 law that authorized the use of the cameras.
Critics, such as Artiles, argue the cameras don't improve traffic safety and that local governments rely on red-light camera citations as a source of revenue.
"It's not about safety,'' Artiles said. "It's about money."
But Florida League of Cities lobbyist Casey Cook said cities should be allowed to develop solutions to their local problems.
The bill would need approval from the House Appropriations Committee before it could go to the full House.
A similar Senate bill (SB 168), filed by Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, has not been heard in committees.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.