TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers are once again pushing to make Florida's traffic laws stricter, including forbidding drivers from talking on cell phones, letting police pull over motorists who aren't buckled up, and legalizing cameras that catch red light runners.
But imposing new driving restrictions is a tall order in the Legislature, which follows a live-and-let-live philosophy when it comes to the rules of the road.
Red light cameras
Will lawmakers clear the way for more red light cameras in Florida? Two Bradenton Republicans have filed bills to do that.
Cities in two dozen states use cameras to ticket drivers who run red lights. But Florida bans the devices from its rights-of-way on state roads, which include many major thoroughfares. A few places, including Hillsborough County, are sticking the cameras on private property near intersections, but other cities are waiting for a change in the law.
Last week, Baker's committee took the Senate bill and reduced the fines that cities had hoped to collect — from $125 to $60 for the first three violations. That has some cities questioning whether they could afford the cameras.
Gov. Charlie Crist wants rules for the cameras to be consistent: "I think that some uniformity might be a little bit easier on citizens throughout the state. I mean, they travel around the state a lot."
In Tallahassee, sparring over driving laws is an annual tug of war pitting public safety against government intrusion. Some lawmakers also want to make it illegal to drive slowly in the passing lane; prohibit kids from riding in pickup beds; and limit the number of passengers in teens' cars.
Most of those bills are likely to die, but they'll be back next year.
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