A local Florida station reports that Florida changed its rules to allow shorter yellow light times at intersections. The result: millions of dollars in additional revenues in red light camera fines. Did Florida cities and counties inform their citizens that “the times were a’changing?” Of course not! Why? Millions of dollars from red light camera fines!
As it turns out, the Florida Department of Transportation reduced the yellow light time below federal recommendations. Why? Research apparently indicated that if you reduce the length of the yellow light by half a second the number of red light camera citations doubles. That’s a lot of money when you consider that Florida collected $100 million dollars from red light cameras last year.
Of course, Florida can claim that the shorter yellow lights improve driver safety. EXCEPT that it doesn’t! According to the U.S. Department of Transportation:
“A one second increase in yellow time results in 40 percent decrease in severe red light related crashes.”
Not surprisingly, the spokesperson for the country’s largest red light camera company disagrees saying there is no problem with decreasing yellow time . . . . Huh. Go figure.
What does this have to do with Virginia, and DWIs, and ignition interlock for all? And claims that lower limits make drivers safer? Go figure!
Our passion at Tillotson & Martin, L.L.C., is defending citizens against such unfair traffic & DUI laws. We write the book for DWI defense for Virginia attorneys and provide seminars for attorneys on how to beat the breath test machine. We train extensively to develop and improve cutting edge defenses. Our attorneys are active National College for DUI Defense members, are certified in NHTSA Field Sobriety Testing, and are trained to interpret breath test and blood test data.
Don’t let a DWI ruin your life. We strive to be the best trained and most prepared Virginia DUI attorneys so that we can aggressively fight for your rights. Call us for a free consultation at (757) 969-5197.
