Travel Safely in Our Community
In 2004 Gulf Breeze Police Chief, Peter Paulding, created the Gulf Breeze Traffic Safety Task Force due to increasing traffic crashes on Hwy 98. The goal of the Task Force was to reduce the severity of crashes, reduce the number of crashes and facilitate traffic flow. One of the many recommendations by the committee was the use of technology (Red Light Cameras).
Pursuant to the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, FSS 316.0083 states the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for payment of a minimum civil penalty of $158 if the owner’s vehicle proceeds into an intersection equipped with a photographic traffic control monitoring system when the traffic control signal for that vehicle’s direction of travel is emitting a steady red signal.
How it Works
The system activates when motion is detected just prior to the stop bar after the traffic signal has turned red. The cameras capture two images of an alleged violation, taken from the rear of the vehicle.
- The first image shows the vehicle at the white stop bar and the illuminated red light.
- The second image shows the violator in the middle of the intersection with the red light illuminated.
- The license plate image is a close-up from one of the images captured.
Data, including the time, date and duration of the yellow and red lights, is also recorded. Cameras also record a 12-second digital video of the violation, including six seconds prior to and six seconds after running the red light.
The Benefits
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 20 percent of all drivers do not obey intersection traffic signals. Red-light cameras help the City of Gulf Breeze Police Department enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing vehicles whose drivers run red lights. The City of Gulf Breeze is committed to the safety of the community and dedicated to reducing red-light violations and their potential for crashes and injuries on our roadways.
Run a Red Light – Save Only Seconds
Red-light violations contribute substantially to the millions of intersection collisions that occur nationally each year. Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In 2018, 846 people were killed and an estimated 200,000 were injured in crashes that involved red-light running.
Police Can’t Be at an Intersection 24/7
The City of Gulf Breeze Police Department simply does not have enough police officers to enforce red-light running violations at every dangerous intersection in the city using conventional methods.
Change Driver Behavior
The overall goal of the program is to change dangerous driver behavior. Each driver makes a decision when approaching an intersection where the light has just turned red. Impatient drivers often choose to continue through the intersection, ignoring the law and putting lives at risk. The purpose of this program is to increase traffic safety in the City of Gulf Breeze by reducing the number of daily red-light violations.
Challenging an Infraction
To challenge this infraction, you may request a hearing and/or complete, sign and have notarized an Affidavit of Defense (together with hearing request form & any supporting documentation) on or before the due date specified in your Notice. The form Affidavit of Defense and Hearing Request Forms (TOTAL OF 3 FORMS) may be obtained online at www.ZeroFatality.com or by visiting The City of Gulf Breeze, Automated Traffic Enforcement Division, 311 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561. There is no fee to request a hearing. If you elect to have a hearing and you are adjudicated responsible, you will be liable for the fine of $158 plus court costs of up to $250. Mailing Instructions for the Affidavit and/or Hearing Request Form are included in the documents.
Ø If the infraction is not dismissed based on your Affidavit or after your hearing, you must pay your fine. In addition, the hearing officer may impose court costs of up to $250. You have a right to appeal the hearing officer’s decision.
Ø At your hearing, formal rules of evidence will not apply, but due process will be observed and govern the proceedings.
Ø Submission of a false affidavit is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable under Fla. Stat. § 775.082 or § 775.083
If your fine is not paid or contested by the due date, or if your Affidavit of Defense or hearing is not resolved in your favor, the $158 fine plus costs of up to $250 will be your responsibility. If you do not pay all the due amounts, the State of Florida will not issue to you a license plate or revalidation sticker for any vehicle owned or co-owned by you.
If you do not respond to this Notice in a timely manner, you will be issued a Uniform Traffic Citation by certified mail. Upon issuance of a UTC, you shall have the remedies specified in Florida Statutes § 318.14, which include the right to have a hearing before a designated official. If the official concludes that no
FAILURE TO PAY YOUR FINE OR TO APPEAR IN COURT AFTER A UNIFORM TRAFFIC CITATION IS ISSUED MAY RESULT IN THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES § 318.15.
If you have any questions regarding this Citation, please call the Gulf Breeze Automated Traffic Enforcement Division Customer Service Call Center at (850) 934-5121 between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM (CT), Monday through Friday.
