More red light cameras coming to Delaware roads

More electronic eyes will be watching out for Delaware drivers who push their luck at red lights.

More electronic eyes will be watching out for Delaware drivers who push their luck at red lights.

As First reported in October,  ten more Delaware intersections will be monitored by video cameras mounted on traffic signals.

Right now 20 red light cameras catch red light runners on tape, and a $112.50 citation is sent in the mail.  The cameras caught 41,000 offenders in 2008.

Of the ten new cameras, New Castle County will get seven,  Sussex County receives two, and Kent County will add one more in Dover.

“We are glad to see the addition of these new cameras, bringing the total to 30 locations throughout the state,” transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks said.  “We know this program is saving lives and reducing the number of angle crashes, which are more likely to result in serious injury or death.”

While DelDOT says safety is the main reason for having the cameras, they do generate $5.2 million dollars in annual revenue for the state and the cities of Newark, Dover, Seaford and the Town of Elsmere.  Part of the revenue is also retained by the state’s Transportation Trust Fund.  The additional cameras are expected to generate an additional $2.5 million.

In 2008 the citations generated more than $543,000 for Dover, nearly $200,000 for Newark, $44,000 for Seaford, and $23,000 for Elsmere.  DelDOT mandates the funds be used for public safety in those communities.

The citations won’t start right away at the new camera locations.  Drivers will get a 30-day warning period.