08-1246 Traffic Light Safety Ordinance

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ORDINANCE NO. 08-1246 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO TRAFFIC LIGHT SAFETY; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS INTENT/PURPOSE; PROVIDING FOR INTENT AND DEFINITIONS; ESTABLISHING AN ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PERMIT AND IMPLEMENT THE USE OF UNMANNED CAMERAS/MONITORING DEVICES FOR RED LIGHT INFRACTIONS; PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES, INCLUDING NOTICE, APPEAL HEARINGS, PENAL TIES, IMPOSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES AND COLLECTION; PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEARING OFFICERS AND MATTERS RELATING THERETO; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, CONFLICTS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS. the City of Casselberry is located in a high density traffic area and regularly experiences traffic incidents related to the failure of motorists to obey duly erected traffic control devices. exposing its citizens to the dangers of personal injury and property damage; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Casselberry is concerned with the inability to sufficiently enforce the State statutes prohibiting running of red lights. due mainly to the requirement that enforcement of the State law requires the personal observation of police officers. affecting the ability to effectively reduce the significant dangers presented to motorists and pedestrians by the failure to stop for a red light; and WHEREAS, the use of unmanned cameras will be effective in enforcing laws requiring drivers of motor vehicles to stop for red lights and will have the effect of freeing law enforcement personnel to respond to other, and sometimes more significant, incidents as well as serious crime; and WHEREAS, local governments in different parts of the State and Nation have demonstrated the enhancement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety attributable to the integration of automated image capture technologies with traditional traffic law enforcement methodology; and WHEREAS, Section 316.008, F/orida Statutes, grants municipalities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power, the authority to regulate and monitor traffic by means of law enforcement officers and security devices; and WHEREAS, the City of Casselberry is vested with home rule authority pursuant to Article VII, Section 2 of the Constitution of the State of Florida and Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, to enact an ordinance making the failure to stop for a red light indication a code 1