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House Cautiously OKs Red Light Camera Measure

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – On the issue of red-light cameras, the Florida House seems to have found its happy medium.

A House committee Thursday approved a bill that would place more restrictions on how cities and counties use red-light cameras to police busy intersections. The bill does not ban them altogether, the News Service of Florida reports.

The bill (HB 1061) would prevent using the cameras to cite drivers for improperly turning right on red lights. Also, it would set minimum amounts of time for yellow traffic lights to display and could give drivers more legal tools to fight citations.

Bill sponsor, Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, said he wants to make sure drivers' due-process rights are protected.

"This does not ban red-light cameras,'' Artiles said before the House Economic Affairs Committee voted 12-4 to approve the measure. "This regulates them at minimums."

Though Artiles and local-government groups said they are trying to reach agreement on the bill, the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Police Chiefs Association expressed opposition to the current version.

Read more in the News Service of Florida article.

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(TM and © 2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and © 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.)

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