Miami Beach drivers will no longer receive tickets in the mail for making a right turn on red without coming to a complete stop. The city commission voted to stop issuing these camera-generated citations, except for the intersection of Alton Road and 17th Street.
Background
Residents had complained about receiving tickets despite stopping before turning right. Chris Meland, a 31-year Miami Beach resident, received two tickets in one day, totaling $158, for allegedly not coming to a complete stop before turning right at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 17th Street.
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and Commissioner Alex Fernandez cosponsored the measure to end the practice of issuing these tickets. According to Mayor Meiner, the decision was made after reviewing videos, which showed that the turns were not a safety issue and that drivers were often coming to a virtual stop before turning.
Commissioner Fernandez noted that sometimes people need to inch forward to ensure it is safe to turn, and they should not be penalized for doing so. However, the new policy does not eliminate red-light cameras entirely, as drivers who go straight through a red light at a camera-equipped intersection will still receive a ticket.
The new policy is not retroactive, meaning that drivers who have already received tickets for allegedly not stopping completely before making a right turn will still need to pay or contest the ticket.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
