South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
Aventura was the first area in Florida to install red-light cameras. The lights were installed back in 2008. Now, as the city approaches the third anniversary of this milestone of traffic safety, nearly 70 Florida cities are equipped with the intersection cameras, according to the Biscayne Times. The cameras have reportedly reduced the number car accidents in Aventura by roughly 15 percent.
“People take red-lights more seriously now,” says Eric Soroka, Aventura’s city manager.
Our Aventura personal injury attorneys understand that local and state officials have a responsibility to help ensure the safe condition of all roadways. These safety measures can include red-light cameras, roadway conditions and adequate street signs. But how can we be sure that government are looking out for the safety of motorists and keeping up with its end of the bargain. Red-light cameras generate a lot on revenue to the city, about $3 million to be exact. That’s a lot of dough that can be used to help keep the conditions of our roadways and traffic devices up to par.
According to a recent press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Obama administration is getting rid of quite a few of the federal regulations that govern the replacement of traffic equipment. These regulations are being tossed out for a number of reasons; to help save money, to make the regulations more in-tune with the advancements in traffic technology, and to eliminate regulations that have been deemed completely unnecessary. More than 45 regulations will be eliminated when all is said and done. Local and state governments will not be held responsible for decisions regarding the upkeep of this equipment.
The revision of the regulations came after President Obama requested a complete review of the current policy. Transportation officials believe that there’s no sense in burdening cash-strapped cities with these unnecessary requirements.
Some of the regulations that will be tossed out include:
-Requiring that street name signs display a larger font.
-Requiring specific street signs to be replaced by 2018.
-Requiring that signs reading ‘Advance Grade Crossing,’ ‘Low Clearance,’ ‘One Way’ and ‘Pass With Care’ be upgraded as the city sees fit. This means that local officials would only have to replace these signs once they’ve worn out and can no longer be deemed as useful.
“We are proposing these changes to give them the flexibility they need to balance their many responsibilities and make the best use of taxpayer dollars,” said FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez.
All of the deadlines can be found in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This manual has been published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1971 and includes regulations regarding traffic signals, street signs and pavement markings.
It is important as local, state and federal governments deal with budget cuts that road maintenance and road construction does not take a hit. When officials stop addressing road conditions to save a buck, the risks of car accidents can increase significantly. In the event of an accident, there may be other at-fault parties that you may not recognize. You are urged to contact an experienced attorney who can help determine contributing factors.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Sunrise, Deerfield or the surrounding areas, contact the personal injury lawyers at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC. Call for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights at 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
Traffic Cameras: Money Pit for Some, Gold Mine for Others, by Erik Bojnansky, Biscayne Times
More Blog Entries:
Two Vehicles Submerged in Recent Car Accidents in Palm Beach County
August 21, 2011
Cameras Located at Fort Lauderdale’s Most Dangerous Intersections Can Reduce the Risk of Car Accidents
July 21, 2011