Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, are no fans of red-light cameras — that much is clear.
Echoing comments by the speaker, Gaetz said in a televised interview that he would support repealing the state’s red-light camera law.
“I voted against red light cameras when they came up the first time,’’ Gaetz said during an interview on The Florida Channel’s “Florida Face to Face” show. “I’d vote for repeal today. I agree with the speaker.”
Weatherford said during an interview with The News Service of Florida that he would back a repeal, though he acknowledged that is not likely to happen.
Appearing with Gaetz in the television interview, Weatherford said he hopes to add regulations on the use of the cameras by local governments.
“I don’t live under any illusion that we’re going to repeal red-light cameras this year,’’ Weatherford said.
Red-light cameras have long been controversial, but opponents are pointing to a new study by the Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability, which they say shows the cameras haven’t reduced accidents and are a way for local governments to bring in revenues.
The Florida League of Cities has questioned the fairness of the study.