ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Starting February 29, cameras, not cops, will catch you if you run a red light in Orange County. Warning letters will be sent to drivers caught running red lights at three different intersections in Orange County and the next step could be fines.

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The county's been watching red light runners for the last three weeks. They put cameras at intersections known for dangerous drivers and bad accidents, but the county isn't legally allowed to issue fines.

Orange County just put video cameras at three dangerous intersections known for accidents. In just three weeks, nearly 1,000 drivers were videotaped running lights at Hiawassee Road and SR-50, Holden Avenue and Orange Blossom Trail, and John Young Parkway at Central Florida Parkway.

A flash on the camera means a driver ran the light. Starting February 29, those violators will get a warning letter in the mail.

"Under current law, we can't levy fines. We think the law needs to be strengthened," said Senator Carey Baker, Lake County.

Baker is the chair of the state's Transportation Committee and has repeatedly blocked a bill to fine violators. Thursday, he told Channel 9 will support it this year. A current version would allow counties and cities to collect $125 fines from red light runners.

"We're obviously not doing this to save money. We are doing this to save lives," said

Orange County already invested $146,000 for a six-month pilot program. If the new law passes, money from the fines would pay to keep the program running.

Starting February 29, the county will mail warning letters to drivers caught on camera. You'll only get a violator letter if you enter the intersection after the light has turned red.

The city of Apopka is working ahead of the state and already fining drivers caught by red light cameras. It's one of only two cities in the state issuing fines and it says it will continue to fine drivers until someone challenges it in court.