Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra today called for state legislation to allow for red light cameras on city streets.
These cameras at traffic intersections photograph motorists running red lights and sends them a citation. The technology is controversial because it automatically forces motorists to pay a fine, even as the violation was not witnessed by a law enforcement officer.
Today, Segarra and State Sen. John Fonfara (D-Hartford) called on the Connecticut General Assembly to pass a law giving cities the option to install such cameras. Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) has proposed a bill giving municipalities with populations greater than 60,000 the ability to install red light cameras as designated intersections.
Segarra and Fonfara made their announcement in front of Hartford Hospital, where multiple hospital employees have been struck by cars, including two fatally in 2010.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 23 states have red light camera systems in place. Red-light running kills 1,000 people and injures 165,000 annually, according to the Federal Highway Commission.
