COLORADO SPRINGS – Love ’em or hate ’em, red light cameras are back at intersections in Colorado Springs following an 8-year hiatus. The first two cameras go live on April 9th at the intersections of East Platte Ave at Chelton Rd (eastbound approach) and Briargate Blvd at Lexington Blvd. (westbound approach).
Violators will have a 30-day warning period where they will be notified of infractions by mail, but not hit with a fine. All of the intersections are clearly marked with “Photo Enforced” signs to warn drivers.
Future locations of cameras are Academy Blvd at N. Carefree (northbound approach) and Academy Blvd at Dublin Blvd. (southbound approach) It is worth noting the intersection at N Carefree is well-known as a spot of serious, even fatal, accidents in the past year.
The cameras snap photos and video of a vehicle when it crosses into an intersection past the solid line painted on a road, only after the light has turned red. This includes drivers who fail to stop before the line when intending to make a legal right turn on red.
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Regardless of who is driving the vehicle, the registered owner will receive the violation notice by mail. It is a $75 fine but does not result in points against your driver’s license.
Last year, Colorado Springs Police told News5 plans are in the works to install six additional cameras at intersections identified by analyzing collision data, speed issues, intersection volume and construction, pedestrian safety and more.
Earlier this year HB19-1099 was introduced in the Colorado General Assembly in an attempt to outlaw these devices. Currently, less than a dozen cities and towns in Colorado use red light cameras.
The bill was assigned to the House Committee on Transportation & Local Government, where lawmakers voted “indefinitely postpone” the measure, killing it for this session. A similar bill will likely return in the next session as several lawmakers are opposed to red light cameras.
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