DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Soon, tickets will be in the mail for red light runners in Daytona Beach. Starting April 4, 2011, drivers caught running red lights at four locations will get a ticket.
A camera is catching red light runners at Mason Avenue and Nova Road. The Daytona Beach Police Department says drivers will get tickets in the mail, but officers can even check the cameras from their computers in their car.
There are no more warnings. For the first time, if you run red lights at certain intersections in Daytona Beach, you will get a ticket.
"A lot of accidents are caused by it. I've seen a lot of people killed because of it, and I really think that might work," one driver told WFTV.
Four cameras are up and running-capturing license plates at the busiest intersections in the city.
Out of all of the intersections, the city says Clyde Morris and International Speedway Boulevard is one of the busiest. Eighty-eight red light runners were recorded there in 24 hours.
For those who blow through the intersections, they will get a $158 ticket in the mail from a private company that watches for red light runners everyday.
"If I was the one getting hit by somebody, I don't think it will be too high for them to pay," a driver told WFTV.
"I think they should start off with a lower rate, and if the person does it again they should get hit a lot harder," another driver told WFTV.
The city says it's no secret, with signs letting drivers know about the cameras. Some drivers don't like them, because they think they're only there to make money and they're less forgiving than a real police officer.
The city says they're there for public safety. But this year alone, the city does expect to make $3 million off of red light runners.
Ultimately, the city wants to put cameras at ten intersections. Currently, there are traffic studies being conducted to determine where they'll go.