MIAMI.- Florida counties and municipalities will have to pass specific ordinances for the installation of new traffic violation detectors, such as traffic light cameras, after Governor Ron DeSantis signed new traffic control legislation last Friday.
Under Act 1363, local governments must enact these ordinances by July 1, 2025, and they must be based on traffic data or evidence demonstrating that the proposed traffic camera location presents a significant safety risk.
Approval process
To ensure that the installation of these cameras is justified and necessary, the proposed ordinance must undergo a public hearing, in accordance with the new legislation.
During this hearing, traffic data and other evidence demonstrating an elevated safety risk at the intersection where the detectors are planned to be installed will be considered.
This evidence-based approach ensures that traffic cameras are placed only in places that really need them, thus improving road safety, according to the new law.
Citizen participation
The law also promotes citizen participation and government transparency. Counties and municipalities must submit an annual report detailing the results of traffic violation detectors.
This report must include data on the number of violation notices issued, the number of violations challenged, upheld or dismissed, uniform and paid traffic citations, as well as the distribution of funds collected.
Before contracting or renewing contracts for the installation of cameras, these reports must be discussed and approved at regular or special meetings of the local governing body, allowing citizens to express their opinions and comments.
Items related to these reports cannot be included in a consent agenda, which ensures—according to the law—an open and detailed discussion about the use and operation of traffic cameras.
Sanctions
To ensure compliance with these requirements, the law establishes penalties for counties and municipalities that do not adequately submit and consider their annual reports.
Any jurisdiction that does not comply with these requirements will be suspended from operating traffic violation detectors until the noncompliance is corrected.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will be responsible for posting these reports on its website, providing public access to the information.
Additionally, this agency must submit an annual summary report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, detailing the use and operation of traffic violation detectors and offering legislative recommendations.
Impact of the law
This law is a significant step toward improving traffic safety in Florida, according to the new legislation.
By ensuring that traffic cameras are installed only in places with high safety risks and under strict conditions of transparency and accountability, the measure is expected to reduce traffic accidents and improve safety on the state’s roads.
The implementation of this law positions Florida as a leader in the regulation and management of traffic camera systems, establishing a standard for other states in promoting road safety and government transparency, according to the text of the measure. .
