2011-62RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -62
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
AVENTURA, FLORIDA, URGING INSURANCE COMPANIES TO
PROVIDE LOWER PREMIUMS TO RESIDENTS OF JURISDICTIONS
PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATED RED LIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGY;
PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, a 2009 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
( "2009 Study ") determined that 676 people were killed and 113,000 people were injured in
crashes related to red light running; and
WHEREAS, intersection crashes account for more than 45% of all reported crashes and
21 % of fatalities; and
WHEREAS, the 2009 Study concluded that 62 Floridians lost their lives in crashes
related to red light running, making Florida the third most deadly state in the United States; and
WHEREAS, a 2011 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
( "2011 Study ") concluded that automated red light safety technology saved 159 lives from 2004
to 2008 in 14 of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation; and
WHEREAS, according to a recent report (July 19, 2011) from the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety, "an Institute study demonstrates that cameras have reduced the rate of fatal
red light running crashes by 24% in 15 big cities with longstanding red -light camera programs." ;
and
WHEREAS, the Institute study released early this year showed that red light cameras
save lives (see Status Report, Feb. 1, 2011) and noted that "Researchers looked at U.S. cities
with populations over 200,000 and compared those with red light cameras to those without. In
the 14 cities that had cameras in 2004 -08 but didn't have them in an earlier comparison period,
Resolution No. 2011 -62
automated red light enforcement saved 159 deaths. If cameras had been operating in those
years at all large U.S. cities, a total of 815 deaths would have been avoided;" and
WHEREAS, the number of jurisdictions embracing automated red light safety technology
has been enhanced from just 25 in 2000 to approximately 540 today; and
WHEREAS, cameras have proven to be effective at reducing red -light runners, and
have been installed in almost every major city; and
WHEREAS, in New York City, where cameras have been used for more than 10 years,
the City reported a 73% reduction in violations, a 41% reduction in collisions and a 35%
reduction in fatalities; and
WHEREAS, according to the Federal Highway Administration, the financial cost of red
light running to the public has been estimated to be in excess of 14 billion dollars; and
WHEREAS, as expressly authorized by the Florida Legislature's enactment of the Mark
Wandall Traffic Safety Act in 2010, numerous jurisdictions throughout the State of Florida have
implemented automated red light safety technology programs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aventura, like many other municipalities and counties throughout
the State of Florida, believes that automated red light safety technology is an effective tool for
creating safer roads and reducing the number of vehicular collisions, fatalities and injuries,
thereby lowering the number of insurance claims; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aventura has put in place within the City, automated red light
safety technology, in order to create safer roads and reduce the number of vehicular collisions,
fatalities and injuries within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aventura's automated red light safety program has enhanced
the respect for traffic lights and resulted in a 15% drop in car accidents throughout the city
between January 2008 and August 2010, and at intersections with red light cameras, accidents
Resolution No. 2011 -62
fell by as much as 60% during that period, according to statistics provided by the Aventura
Police Department; and
WHEREAS, although safety and saving lives are the main reasons for our red -light
camera program, reducing auto premiums should follow as our community has become a safer
place to live and drive; and
WHEREAS, just as insurance companies will not hesitate to increase rates for those
living near dangerous locations; there should be no hesitation to reduce the rates at safer
locations, such as the City of Aventura; and
WHEREAS, the City is cognizant that the International Association of Chiefs of Police,
astutely observed at their 112th Annual Conference held in Miami on September 27, 2005, in
adopting a Resolution approving red -light camera systems, finding, "the use of red light camera
systems can deter and reduce red light running violations by motorists, and more important, can
reduce the number of crashes, injuries and deaths attributable to red -light running."
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA:
Section 1. RECITALS. That the foregoing WHEREAS clauses are hereby ratified
and confirmed as being true and correct, and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution
upon adoption hereof.
Section 2. REQUEST.
A. That based on the studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,
other statistical data, and the City's observations and experience, the City Commission of the
City of Aventura respectfully urges automobile insurance providers within the State of Florida to
offer a reduced rate to consumers residing in jurisdictions that utilize automated red light safety
technology.
Resolution No. 2011 -62
B. That automobile insurance service providers are urged to recognize that these
jurisdictions should be rewarded for their efforts to make their roads safer, to save lives, and to
reduce the costs, damages and injuries attributed to red light running.
Section 3. DISTRIBUTION. That the City Commission authorizes and directs the
distribution of this Resolution to the Governor, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the
Florida League of Cities, the Miami -Dade County League of Cities, automobile insurance
providers throughout the State of Florida, and municipalities and counties implementing or
contemplating the implementation of automated red light safety technology.
Section 4. IMPLEMENTATION. That the City Manager is authorized to take any
action which is necessary to implement the purposes of this Resolution.
Section 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. That this Resolution shall become effective upon its
passage and adoption by the City Commission.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Joel, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Auerbach, and upon being put
to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Zev Auerbach
Commissioner Bob Diamond
Commissioner Teri Holzberg
Commissioner Michael Stern
Commissioner Luz Urbaez Weinberg
Vice Mayor Billy Joel
Mayor Susan Gottlieb
yes
yes
yes
yes
absent
yes
yes
Resolution No. 2011- 62
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1St day of November, 2011.
san Gottlieb, Wayor
Attest:
I it resa M4Scooa, MC y Cler
Approved as to Form and Legal Sufficiency:
t4" ` 1
City Attorney