Red light camera program in Philadelphia in jeopardy

Philadelphia’s red light camera program could come to an end if an agreement isn’t reached in Harrisburg before the summer.

The camera program, which takes photos of cars running red lights, is currently operating on an extension from the legislature that is set to expire June 30th.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi’s spokesman Erik Arneson says other parts of Pennsylvania want the cameras too and that is causing problems that could stop the program in Philadelphia.

“The biggest potential for that is if there is not an agreement reached to expand it to other cities the folks that represent those cities may have less of a reason to support extending the Philadelphia program,” said Arneson.

For the last fiscal year, red light cameras in Philadelphia generated close to $14 million in fines.  The Philadelphia Parking Authority, which runs the cameras, says it costs about $6 million a year to run them and collect fines.

PPA Executive Director Vince Fenerty says the camera program has saved lives.”Since this program was established in 2005 there have been no fatalities along Roosevelt Boulevard as a result of a T-bone crash or pedestrian being hit,” said Fenerty.  “Prior to 2005 Roosevelt Boulevard, Route 1 was known as the kill zone.”