From Bill Lindelof:
Red light violations caught on camera will earn a ticket starting Thursday at one busy Citrus Heights intersection where for the past month only warnings were issued.
Run the red westbound on Antelope Road at Garden Gate Drive beginning at one minute after midnight Thursday and violators will be responsible for paying a $381 fine.
"We want people to think about it and stop at these red lights," said Citrus Heights Police Sgt. Eric Mattke.
Beginning Sept. 16, the Citrus Heights Police Department issued only warning notices at the intersection for the first 30 days. This week, the 30-day grace period is over.
The city began its red-light camera program earlier this year. Citrus Heights is contracting with Redflex Traffic Systems and has authorization to post cameras at 20 intersections.
Redflex provides the equipment and monitoring, including still photographs and six seconds of video recorded on each side of the intersection whenever a red light violation is recorded.
The images are then sent to the Police Department where an officer decides whether to issue a traffic ticket.
Cameras were switched on at Greenback Lane and San Juan Avenue and at Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive June 6 to catch drivers. The numbers show hundreds have been given tickets.
Citrus Heights Police issued 705 notices of violation for Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive since June 6. At San Greenback and San Juan 426 have been written since June 6.
Cameras were also installed at Sunrise Boulevard and Oak Avenue and officers began issuing tickets Saturday. Last week, during the warning period, one motorist was clocked going through the intersection at more than 104 mph.
"That's the what we are trying to prevent," said Mattke. "That's the kind of thing that is going to seriously injure or kill somebody."
Mattke reminded motorists that right turns on a red light without stopping are also a violation. A driver must come to a complete stop behind the limit line to make sure the intersection is clear of traffic and pedestrians before completing the right turn.
Anyone who gets a ticket can view the image of the suspected violation by visiting the police department or viewing it on the Redflex website listed on the citation.
The number of people caught on camera running red lights has surprised Mattke. And he thinks that some people are inattentive because they are also violating another law
"What's amazing is how many people running through red lights who still have their phones to their ear," said Mattke. "Put those phones away."
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