Nov 3, 2009 7:30 pm US/Eastern
Red Light Cameras To Boost Safety And Budgets
CHELMSFORD (WBZ) ―
The police chief in Chelmsford has a traffic problem and he wants help.
People are running lights all over town and they don't have the manpower to stop them.
CAMERAS IN CHELMSFORD?
So Chief James Murphy is a big backer of traffic cameras to keep drivers safe.
"We are trying to change behavior to get them to obey all traffic laws" he told WBZ.
Murphy went before the town board last week to talk about the idea, but now Gov. Deval Patrick is helping the cause. There's legislation in the budget that would allow cities and towns to get the cameras.
"It is not for revenue, our main goal is to enforce violations" Murphy said.
UP TO $125 A TICKET
But for the governor, it is about revenue.
Having cameras send citations of up to $125 per ticket could bring in much needed money for cities and towns.
The owner of the vehicle would be liable for the citation.
Two unpaid tickets would result in a license suspension, costing $40 to get it back.
Chief Murphy disagrees that the camera should be money-makers, but he admits he needs the cameras.
Drivers say anything to make the roads safer is o.k. with them.
"It's a good idea because they are breaking the law and should be stopped" one driver in Chelmsford told WBZ.
If approved, each city and town would have to decide on its own whether to install the cameras.
LOW COST CAMERAS
The equipment is free and the service is free.
The company that makes them takes a small percentage of the ticket money to operate the system.
AAA told WBZ they believe police provide the best deterrents and cameras should not be used for revenue.
But if cameras are used, they want safeguards in place like making sure the yellow light is long enough.
LIKE A PARKING TICKET
The citations would be similar to a parking ticket.
It would not affect your driving record or insurance rating if you paid it.
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