If you are driving in Bradford these days, take note red light cameras are now up and running at five intersections catching anyone who runs a red. The town says the eight cameras installed started snapping pictures of red light runners at midnight. There is no word yet on how many violators have already been ticketed. “After losing the automated speed cameras, we ended up going to red light because we have many people in Bradford running red lights,” says Bradford Mayor James Leduc. The cameras are attached to long, silver poles, located next to the road by the sidewalk. Leduc says the program is not designed to generate money for the town. He says it’s all about safety and is expected to just more than break even on the cost. “We have five intersections with eight cameras. Some picking up east, west, north and south, some picking up just east/west,” says Leduc. The system is pretty simple: any driver that enters the intersection after the light turns red, will have a photo of their licence plate taken and a ticket will be issued. There are no points deducted and a person’s insurance will not be affected. “You are getting a picture three times. You are getting a picture before you get to the intersection, you are getting it while you are at the intersection at the white bar and then you are getting a picture when you are coming through the intersection, which indicates you are going through a complete red,” says Leduc. Drivers in town Thursday seem to like the idea if it helps stop people from running reds. “I think it’s a great idea. I’ve seen too many people going through red lights and I hate it and I’m glad they are doing something about it,” says Tom McGall, a resident of Bradford. Others feel are focused on different cameras. “I think they should have left the speed cameras. There’s too many guys just zipping around,” says Wayne Hannah, a Bradford resident. The fine for red light runners could be as much as nearly $500, if it is in a school zone. Leduc says the town will see how it gores before it considers adding more red light cameras.
