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Traffic camera debate revs up Sebastian Kitchen / Montgomery Advertiser | February 11 2006 Run a red light now, and nothing happens unless you cause an accident or a police officer sees you. It'd be a different story if there were cameras at intersections. Years of inaction by the Alabama Legislature have Montgomery officials ready to begin their own debate over whether to use cameras to cut down on red-light runners. Mayor Bobby Bright proposed an ordinance this week. Drivers would be charged $50 for each of the first two violations and $100 thereafter. The violation would not be added to the person's driving record. Red-light runners account for thousands of accidents -- many fatal -- every year nationwide. In Alabama, from 2001 to 2003, there were 14,763 red-light crashes, resulting in 54 deaths and 7,658 injuries. Montgomery had nearly 2,500 red-light accidents in the same period, according to the state transportation department, accounting for 10 red-light fatalities and 1,577 injuries. "I don't understand how anybody cannot be for it if it is saving lives and slowing people down," Montgomery City Councilman Glen Pruitt said. Pruitt and fellow Councilman Tim Head said constituents regularly complain about people running red lights. "However, in light of our national concerns of Big Brother government, I have questions in regards to whether or not these cameras would be an invasion of the government through technological methods," Head said. All of the council members said they have not had an opportunity to review Bright's proposal thoroughly. In light of the state's inaction, Councilman Jim Spear said the city needs to move forward with cameras at intersections. "We've got to stop people running red lights," Spear said. "Too many people are getting in serious accidents over it. I don't see why anybody is opposed to this." ---------------------------------------------------
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