Baltimore's Red Light Camera Program Issuing Fines Starting Wednesday
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore City red light camera monitoring system will begin issuing fines Wednesday for anyone found guilty of running a red light.
The red light camera violation warning period has been in effect since July 31, but starting August 1, violators will be given a $75 fine.
"When some people get the idea there is no enforcement, then they take the liberty not to stop. But what this does is, it puts a little sting in it so that people say 'hey, you know what, I don't want the $75 fine,'" said Robert Liberati of the Baltimore Department of Transportation.
Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh pushed for this come back and she said this is all about safety, especially as school gets ready to start.
"So the message is slow down," she said.
The camera ticketing system is re-emerging after a glitch that forced the City to shut it down. Four years ago, the City stopped handing out tickets after drivers successfully proved they received fines they didn't deserve.
This time around, the City said it has an improved system to prevent errors and contractors get a flat monthly fee regardless of how many tickets are generated.
Drivers in Baltimore are still skeptical.
"It could be $150. In D.C. it's $150 or more. They still run the red light don't they?" driver Justin Harvey said.
"I think they are still going to do it, I really do. They are people out there that just don't care," driver Lynee Peden said.
The City Department of Transportation currently has a total of 18 speed and red light cameras.
The speed cameras have already been handing out tickets for the past month and those are $40 per violation.
Plans are already in the works to activate more across the City in the near future.
The red light cameras will be at the following locations:
- Reisterstown Road (Southbound) at Patterson Avenue
- East North Avenue (Westbound) at North Howard Street
- South Monroe Street (Northbound) at Washington Boulevard
- South Monroe Street (Southbound) at Washington Boulevard
- Belair Road (Southbound) at Erdman Avenue
- Erdman Avenue (Eastbound) at Belair Road
- Pulaski Highway (Eastbound) at North Point Road
- North Calvert Street (Northbound) at East Baltimore Street
The cameras will be operating around the clock, every day of the year.
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