Jan 30, 2007 5:50 pm US/Central
1,748 Red Light Camera Citations Issued In Dallas
by Bud Gillett
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
It's only two weeks old, but the red light camera program in Dallas has already resulted in 1748 citations. There are 12 cameras installed at 10 crucial intersections, and five more go online Wednesday at midnight. The city hopes these cameras will change driving habits, and some commuters say that the change can't come soon enough.
"Yes, actually, but normally what I do when I see a yellow light... I stop," said one driver.
"They don't bother me. You're supposed to stop anyway," said another.
Delia Sewell knows first-hand how it feels to be hit by a red light runner. "A kid hit me," she said. "Ran a read light going 50 mph and hit me. Totaled out my car. A lot of damage."
Now, braving Dallas traffic on a daily commute from Tawkoni, Sewell believes she's seen it all. "I've seen it where two cars run into each other, hit each other, and keep going. And you're thinking, 'They don't have insurance, either one of them.'"
Insurance is not an issue for the silent cameras, only whether a car enters an intersection illegally after the light has turned red. "No matter who was driving, the vehicle owner will receive the citation," said Zaida Basora, Assistant Public Works Director.
The camera's click is automatic, but the citation is not. An infraction must be verified by real people, including the Dallas Police. "They do have to review the images that were captured to confirm that there was actually a violation," Basora said.
Vehicle owners get a weblink where they can view their car running the red light. It's hoped that, when presented with visual proof, owners will pay promptly. So far, two people have.
It could be costly to ignore the fine, or refuse to pay. The city will eventually turn the case over to a collection agency, and eventually put the citation on the car owner's credit record.
Unlike some communities, the Dallas intersections are not marked.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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