Drivers beware: Philadelphia’s red light cameras spread to Broad and Vine Streets

Philadelphia’s newest red-light camera is online and taking pictures.  In other locations, the cameras have cut down how many people drive through the red signals.

With the addition of Broad and Vine Streets, there are currently 90 cameras at 20 intersections in Philadelphia .  Chris Vogler manages the program for the Philadelphia Parking Authority.  He says the cameras have worked.

“The first three intersections along the Boulevard at Grant Avenue, Cottman Avenue and Red Lion Road, between the three of them between 70 and 90 percent decrease in violations,” said Vogler.

For example, Vogler says Grant Avenue averaged a little over 4,000 violations per month.  Now it’s down to 300 a month.  He says sometimes cars trip the camera, but the driver will not receive a ticket.

“The vehicle has to be into and through the pedestrian crosswalk and into the intersection,” he said.

Vogler says before violations are mailed, a person checks the photo to make sure a ticket is deserved.  At Broad and Vine Streets, warnings will be sent at first.  Real tickets will go out starting in December.