Red light cameras approved

Love em or hate em — Hamilton is about to get more red light cameras. Six new cameras will be installed at intersections across the city — bringing the number of devices in operation to 19. While councillors agreed the cameras can improve public safety — some are questioning the timing of the cameras — and the stiff fine that comes when drivers are caught.

This is the intersection of King and Dundurn Streets in Hamilton. Perched above the traffic is a red light camera. It captures images of vehicles that enter the intersection after the light has turned red. The penalty for being caught on camera is hefty — a 325 dollar fine issued to the owner of the vehicle.

City Councillor Rob Pasuta: “It’s a very, very, very busy intersection. which is causing a lot of people to get caught in the intersection. As they are trying to get through other ones, they brake for the people turning into the gas station and you get stuck in the light and I’ve been told when they go to pay the fine and they talk to the adjudicator, ‘it’s too bad buddy, you’re caught in the middle’.”

Today at Hamilton city hall, councillors agreed to increase the number of red light cameras across the city but not before raising some concerns.

City Councillor Lloyd Ferguson: “My concern is that if you are point one of a second late. Or if you are a second late, it’s the exact same fine because all of us make those split second decisions to hit the brakes or hit the gas and of course when you hit the brakes, you have to be sure no one is going to come in behind you.”

Along with the increase in the number of cameras comes an increase in money for the city. Initially officials promised the program would be revenue neutral. But today, city staff said the additional cameras would raise an extra 500 thousand dollars this year alone.

To clarify again what constitutes running a red light — you are guilty if you enter an intersection after the light turns red.

You are not guilty if you enter the intersection on a yellow light that turns red after you enter it.