Orange Park officials announced that its red-light safety cameras will begin taking photos of red-light runners at designated intersections beginning in 2013. Red-light Safety Cameras will capture still images and video of red-light running violations. Citations with a $158 fine will be issued.
A comprehensive evaluation was conducted to determine where red-light running commonly occurs and where red-light safety cameras are most likely to improve road safety. The red-light safety camera program aims to protect drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians from injuries or crashes caused by red-light runners.
Florida was the third most deadly state in the nation for red-light running fatalities in 2010. Across the United States, red-light runners killed an average of 885 people and injured 165,000 each year for the past decade. Now, through its road safety camera agreement with American Traffic Solutions, Orange Park joins the over 80 communities in Florida using this lifesaving program.
Pursuant to the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, a portion of all red-light running fines issued through red-light safety camera programs goes to trauma centers and to research efforts addressing spinal and brain injuries. Thus far more than $7 million has gone to trauma centers and nearly $3 million has gone to the Miami Project for research into new treatments for persons living with spinal and brain injuries, many of which are the result of traffic crashes.
The program was approved by the Orange Park Town Council and is administered by American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) with each violation reviewed and approved by Orange Park Police Department prior to being issued.