GREENLEAF BILL ON RED LIGHT CAMERAS CLEAR
COMMITTEE
HARRISBURG –The Senate Transportation Committee has approved a measure
aimed at reducing the incidence of red light running by allowing municipalities
to install red light photo enforcement systems at high-risk intersections.
Sponsored by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf, Senate Bill 704 would permit
communities to issue fines to the owners of vehicles captured on camera driving
through a red light. No points would be assessed for the apparent violations,
which would be dealt with in a manner similar to the issuance of parking
tickets.
“The fine is the deterrent,” Greenleaf said.
“Actually, the photo system itself is the first line of deterrence,
because signs will make drivers aware that cameras are operating.
There would be fair warning, and, if that is ignored, then there would be
a fine.”
Greenleaf noted that the goal of the bill is not to gather fines, but to
stop the practice of running red lights. “The
ultimate aim is to increase safety and save lives,” he said.
In cities that currently utilize photo enforcement systems, the incidence
of violations is down at the intersections where cameras have been installed, as
well as at other nearby intersections. The
systems are in use in Wilmington, Baltimore, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The bill contains a committee amendment that addresses privacy concerns,
such as photographing the rear of the vehicle only; defense provisions for
vehicle owners who were not at the wheel at the time of the violation; and
technical issues, such as the timing of yellow lights.
“I believe the amendment addresses most of the civil
liberty concerns that have been raised about this legislation, while maintaining
the goal of deterrence,” Greenleaf said.
Supporters of the photo enforcement system concept include the
Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the
Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, Advocates for Highways Safety, and the
Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania.
