Clermont to activate red-light cameras

CLERMONT, Fla. — For the first time ever, the city of Clermont is about to turn on its red-light cameras – all 24 of them.

Officials said cameras will soon be up and running on the main strip of State Road 50.

Drivers Eyewitness News spoke with said they welcome cameras to the city with open arms, hoping the cameras will cut down on crashes at busy intersections.

The cameras will be online within the next 48 hours.

Almost every major intersection in Clermont just got a major makeover: The red-light cameras are up in 13 spots around the Lake County city, ready to snap pictures of drivers who think green when they see red.

"I think they're a great idea because if people know that they're there, they're way less likely to make that bad decision," driver Elise Backman said.

Joe Richards said he knows a thing or two about the consequences of bad decisions behind the wheel. He said he's a former firefighter.

"If they do what they think they're doing with them and that's accidents saving lives - then I guess they're worth it," Richards said.

Each camera costs roughly $5,000 a month to operate and maintain.

City officials hope to generate enough money to pay for that significant cost.

All 24 cameras are within a half mile of busy intersection U.S. 27 and State Road 50 in Clermont.

Drivers going north, south, east or west should be on the lookout.

The cameras will generate warning notices to violators during December.

Come January, lawbreakers will get a $158 fine.

At a Dec. 10 meeting, Clermont city leaders will decide what other costs, like administration fees, should be tacked on, potentially increasing the fine to $250.

Some of the money could go to construction projects in the city.

WFTV