Pittsburgh City Council approves plan to install automated red light enforcement cameras
The City of Pittsburgh has taken another step to make streets safe by approving plans to install automated red light enforcement cameras.
An incident that happens far too often involves pedestrians or people riding bikes who get caught in a crosswalk while a driver zooms through a red light.
New legislation approved by Pittsburgh City Council will provide red light camera enforcement.
Councilperson Erika Strassburger is behind the legislation that will now allow for cameras and sensors to be at high-risk intersections.
The automated system will snap a photo when a vehicle runs the red light with no police officers needed to be on site.
Those who are caught running red lights will face warnings and fines, including a 60-day warning period for the first location where enforcement cameras are installed. There will be a 30-day warning period for all other locations where cameras are installed.
Signage will be put in place to notify drivers of the camera enforcement being installed, and once the warning periods have ended, $100 fines will take effect.
The exact locations of where red light cameras will be installed throughout the city haven't been decided, but the city says they will be selected through a data-driven approach.
"There was one car in the crosswalk, and I didn't want to cross there; they didn't look patient, and I waited, yet I still almost got hit," said Jesse Nesbella, a Lawrenceville resident.
Nesbella told KDKA that a car ran the light just moments before the interview. That was just one of several drivers spotted ignoring traffic signals.
"This will absolutely help people understand they need to stop at red lights, obey the law, and hopefully slow down," said Councilperson Erika Strassburger, who represents the city's 8th District.
While some residents welcome the added safety measures, others voiced mixed feelings.
"I think it's probably a good way to keep people safe and prevent pedestrian injuries and fatalities," said Collin Griffin of Lawrenceville.
"If it's going to make the area safer, I think it's good to have," added resident Molly Cohen. "I don't love the idea of tickets when it's not a physical person giving it to you, but I also want the community to be safe."
But it's not just tech; a human reviewer will look at every image before a citation is sent.
"Before the tickets are even mailed, they will inspect every picture and ensure they understand what the situation was," said Strassburger.