Exclusive poll: Majority of St. Petersburg voters oppose red light cameras

If it were up to the registered voters of St. Petersburg, red light cameras would no longer be taking pictures at busy city intersections.

The results of an exclusive Bay News 9, Tampa Bay Times and WUSF Public Media poll showed that 54 percent of voters oppose the red light cameras being used to issue traffic tickets and fines, while 42 percent favor them. A remaining 4 percent were undecided.

Many drivers have expressed concern over the length of the yellow light at camera intersections. In response, the state recently put new standards in place to lengthen the timing of yellow lights.

Mayor Bill Foster has been pulling for the cameras since their inception, although council members seem to be split over whether the cameras are here for safety or to generate revenue for the city.

Some city leaders say the program is flawed and focuses on making money.

"This company is not in the business of promoting safety ... that's not their concern," councilwoman Leslie Curran said earlier this year. "They're not so concerned to save lives and alleviate crashes; they're concerned for the number of dollars they can put in their wallets."

Poll results were consistent in opposition of the cameras among gender, race and political party affiliation. 

The only exception was with the age of respondents.  Among respondents over age 55, 48 percent approved of the red light cameras, while 47 percent opposed them.

St. Petersburg residents were asked the same question in January 2012 and voted in favor of the red light cameras by 62 percent. Only 33 percent were opposed to the program.

Complete Survey Results:

Several bay area communities, including St. Petersburg, have red light traffic cameras that are used to issue tickets and fine violators who run red lights.  Do you favor or oppose red light cameras being used to issue traffic tickets and fines?