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The 15-day grace period is over and, come Monday, red-light runners won't be getting off with just a warning letter if cameras catch them in the act.
They'll get a $125 fine and a photograph of the infraction in the mail instead. "What we're doing is trying to change those dangerous driving patterns and eliminate traffic accidents and complaints," said Mark Carman, city law enforcement coordinator.
Red-light cameras were activated in April at these major intersections: Palm Coast Parkway at Old Kings Road, Cypress Point Parkway at Belle Terre Parkway eastbound and westbound, and Belle Terre Parkway at Cypress Point Parkway and Easthampton Drive.
Warning signs also were posted at those intersections alerting motorists to camera enforcement. The cameras snap pictures of errant motorists who run red lights going straight or turning left or right without slowing to yield. The city's traffic control infraction review officer reviews photographs of the cars and tags for violation accuracy before a fine with the photographs is issued in the mail. Images also can be viewed online at www.violationinfo.com by entering the notice and PIN numbers found on the notice. If motorists receive a ticket at the red light from Flagler County sheriff's deputies, it'll override city code enforcement, and violators will have to pay the $188.50 sheriff's fine and get four points on their license instead, Sheriff's Office officials said.
Opponents have cited potential increases in rear-end collisions, but the City Council OK'd moving forward in November with camera installation and enforcement to discourage red-light running and reduce accidents. City Manager Jim Landon noted that red-light running was a problem based on results of a December study done by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based American Traffic Solutions at the busy intersections. The initiative will come at no cost to the city, and American Traffic Solutions will provide equipment and other services like installation, maintenance and repair. They'll receive $40 of the $125 fine.
kari.cobham@news-jrnl.com
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