Some Philly red light fines helping other parts of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia’s red light cameras are busy. Some of the money is even being sent out of the area for other safety projects statewide.

    PennDOT’s Eugene Blaum says the state takes a portion of the money generated by Philadelphia’s traffic cameras and makes it available to other municipalities.

    He said $3.2 million of the automated red light program will be distributed to 17 municipalities in Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Including $1.5 million to Philadelphia, where it will be used for low-cost safety improvements at various locations,” Blaum said.

    More than a million dollars gets spread across the state. McKees Rocks, near Pittsburgh, is getting $117,338 to improve its business district.

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    As for the hardest-working cameras, Corinne O’Connor of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which oversees the cameras, says two of the top three are on the circle that goes around City Hall.

    “Because it’s so congested, a lot of times people are waiting two, three cycles just to get through the intersection, and when they get through the light they just decide to push it,” O’Connor said

    The camera’s electronic eye never blinks and catches drivers every time.

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