Red Light Camera Fines Start Tuesday in Clearwater

Smile! If you're running a red light in Clearwater, you could be on camera, and starting Tuesday it'll cost you.

The 30-day warning period for red-light cameras at three Clearwater intersections expired at midnight Monday, meaning that as of Tuesday, July 31, a violation will carry a $158 penalty.

The cameras are set up at these intersections:

• eastbound Gulf to Bay at Belcher Road
• westbound Gulf to Bay at Belcher Road
• eastbound Chestnut Street at Ft. Harrison Avenue

The city for a six-month trial program back in November, .

The cameras record traffic each minute, every day of the week, taking pictures and video of red light runners. The images are sent to Clearwater Police to review, and then a citation is mailed to the vehicle owner. 

So far in July since the cameras turned on, at least 557 warnings have already been issued, with a few hundred pending review, city spokesperson Elizabeth Watts said Monday.

What do you think of red light cameras? Will they reduce accidents? Are they constitutional? Were they needed at these intersections, or others? Post a comment below.

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