Fort Worth looks to reduce accidents with red-light cameras

by PegNews wire

Texas ranks fourth in the nation when it comes to fatalities at intersections controlled by red lights. That’s nothing to brag about. Instead, Fort Worth officials want to change driving behavior and reduce deaths and injuries caused by motorists who run red lights, moving Fort Worth closer to becoming the nation’s safest major city.

Cameras at selected intersections capture red-light violations on video and take still photographs of license plates. The city reviews the footage to decide if a violation has occurred.

Fort Worth has 17 red-light camera locations.

Violations occur when motorists enter intersections after signal lights turn red. Drivers already in intersections when lights turn red — waiting to turn, for example — are not ticketed.

Drivers must come to a complete stop at a red light before turning right on red.

Automated traffic safety cameras photograph only vehicles that enter intersections after signals turn red. Only violations are recorded. Photos are taken of vehicles moving away from cameras into intersections.

Vehicle owners are responsible for paying fines even if they’re not at the wheel when the offense occurred.

Red-light violations are civil offenses and are not reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety or to insurance agencies.

What’s the fine?

The fine is $75. Vehicle owners who don’t pay within 30 days must pay an additional $25.

State law requires the city to send half of the fines collected from the use of red-light cameras, minus administrative expenses, to the state comptroller for use by regional trauma centers. The other half is used for traffic safety programs.

Vehicle owners can contest fines for running red lights in an administrative hearing and appeal the results of that hearing in Fort Worth Municipal Court.

To learn more, call 817-392-8056 or visit www.FortWorthGov.org/tpw.

Source: Fort Worth