Memphis Installs Red Light Cameras

At intersections across the city, cameras are going up and they're aimed at putting the brakes on running red lights.

"If I'm driving down the streets and I know that there is a camera there when that light turns yellow I'm going to slow down instead of speed up and try to make the light," said Donna Davis, Special Assistant to the Mayor.

Red light cameras will be placed at 30 intersections which the Memphis Police Department says are the busiest and most dangerous, if your caught running a light, it takes your picture, and sends you a $50 ticket. Thursday, workers with American Traffic Solutions were putting up cameras at Winchester and Riverdale, drivers there didn't seem to mind.

"I mean you shouldn't be running a red light anyways so it’s fine with me," said Devereau Williams as he pumped gas.

"They have a lot of accidents in this area so there is a lot of traffic so it wouldn't be a bad idea," said Regina Slayton.

"I think it will be a great idea. I gives that extra caution before I run it before I do this they may catch me. If not for safety people don't want to pay a ticket especially with the economy," said Greg Shaw.

The red light camera program will start October 7th; however, the city is giving drivers a 30 day warning period before issuing tickets. The cameras are expected to bring in six to seven million dollars in revenue for the city over the next five years but city officials say it’s not about the money.

"The whole system, the cost of the monitoring and everything will be paid for by violators. It's not a revenue builder. It will generate some revenue but its purpose is to make people slow down and not run thru red lights," said Davis.

Not everyone is in favor of red light cameras. All across the country there are lawsuits fighting their installation. In Mississippi, state legislators have banned them. If you do get a ticket you can dispute it.

 

Camera locations:
- Winchester and Riverdale
- Germantown Parkway and Trinity Rd
- Lamar and E. Shelby Drive

- Germantown Parkway and Dexter

- Winchester and Kirby
- Germantown Pkwy and Stage/US 64
- Winchester and Hickory Hill
- Lamar and American Way
- Lamar and Winchester
- Germantown Pkwy and Cordova Rd
- Austin Peay and Yale
- E. Shelby Drive and Getwell
- E. Shelby Drive and Millbranch
- Poplar and S. Highland