PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council members are split on whether to use cameras to target red light violators at busy city intersections, after reviewing data about Philadelphia's experience with the devices.
Some council members view the cameras as a public safety tool, while others are concerned that their use can result in more rear-end collisions at intersections and with the fact that vehicle owners get the $100 tickets, not necessarily the drivers who commit the violations.
“We know that there's a decrease in T-bone collisions, but I don't think we should solve a problem by creating another,” said councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith.
Philadelphia officials told Pittsburgh council members that red-light violations have dropped 91 percent since the devices were first installed in 2005. The tickets generate about $7.6 million, which goes to the state, last year.
The state Senate passed a bill allowing Pittsburgh and 18 other cities to use the cameras. A similar bill is before the House.
“Is it a positive? I don't know. Is it big brother? Yea, it's big brother watching over us,” one driver told Channel 11 News.
“I think it would be good for, obviously, people running traffic lights,” said another driver. “Possibly bad for them using it for any other negative thing."
Kail-Smith said it will take a few more discussions before city council can make a decision.
WPXI
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