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Intersection Safety Program
Why the City of North Miami Beach implemented an Intersection Safety Photo Enforcement Program
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 2 million crashes annually occur in intersections. In 2006, red-light running resulted in almost 900 fatalities and 144,000 injuries. Red-light running is a problem. It is believed that an automated red-light camera program will reduce the number of red-light collisions and injuries associated with these crashes. The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in the City of North Miami Beach. The goal of the program is to reduce red-light running violations, crashes, and injuries without impacting city funds.
A Red-Light Running Violation
A red-light running violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. Motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes to red, waiting to turn for example, are not considered red-light violators.
Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act Video
Red Light Safety Programs in Florida
Travel Safely in Our Community
Pursuant to the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for payment of a minimum civil penalty of $158 if the owner’s vehicle proceeds into an intersection equipped with a photographic traffic control monitoring system when the traffic control signal for that vehicle’s direction of travel is emitting a steady red signal.
Run a Red Light - Save Only Seconds
Red-light violations contribute substantially to the millions of intersection collisions that occur nationally each year. Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In 2007, almost 900 people were killed and an estimated 153,000 were injured in crashes that involved red-light running.
Police Can’t Be at an Intersection 24/7
The North Miami Beach Police Department simply does not have enough police officers to enforce red-light running violations at every dangerous intersection in the city using conventional methods.
We Want to Change Driver Behavior
The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in North Miami Beach by reducing red-light violations. The overall goal of the program is to change dangerous driver behavior. Each driver makes a decision when approaching an intersection where the light has just turned red. Impatient drivers often choose to continue through the intersection, ignoring the law and putting lives at risk.
Studies across the country prove red-light camera programs are successful at both reducing the number of red-light runners and increasing compliance with traffic laws. The Federal Highway Administration studies show a 40-50% reduction in red-light running.
Resources
Public education is the key to making our streets safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Representatives of the program can answer any questions you may have or are available to speak to your organization or group. To find out more, contact the North Miami Beach Police Department at 305-354-4460 or contact customer service at 866-225-8875.
Visit the following websites for more information about red-light running and other traffic safety issues: