West Knoxville intersection joins list of red light cameras

West Knoxville intersection joins list of red light cameras
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May 18, 2006

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Another of Knoxville's new red light cameras goes into operation at midnight Thursday.

This one is at the intersection of I-40 and Cedar Bluff.

There is a 30 day grace period for the camera. After that, police will start issuing $50 tickets for running the light.

Violations at the city's other four red light cameras have resulted in hundreds of citations.

Those violations are mailed to the person listed on the car's registration.

So are you responsible for paying the ticket if you weren't driving? Knoxville police Capt. Gordon Catlett says, "The owner is responsible for the vehicle. In the event the owner was not in the vehicle, operating the vehicle, the owner can submit an affidavit of liability stating who was in possession of the car at the time. Then that individual will become responsible for the citation."

And what happens if traffic stops in an intersection when the light turns red? "Vehicles that get caught at an intersection when a light cycles to red are not in violation," Catlett says.

Also, what about privacy? Is it true pictures of the violation will be on a web site? "There's no plans to have cameras focused on a driver or passenger in a vehicle," Catlett says.

And he says when it comes to web site access, only the person issued the citation can access the violation in question.

As the system goes on line, there is not an archive of streaming video from the intersections with cameras.

Only violations will be captured for review. And they will be reviewed by an officer. So, if unusual circumstances exist such as a malfunctioning light or a traffic accident causing drivers to be re-routed, officers will not give you a ticket.