Red Light Camera Citations Coming To Route 611 In Warrington

WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Heads up, drivers. Next week, the 60-day "warning phase" at Warrington Township's two red light camera intersections will end.

That means that effective March 21, police will begin issuing citations for red light infractions at Route 611 and Bristol Road and Route 611 and Street Road (Route 132).

"With the end of the 'warning phase' approaching, we would like to advise the public that citations will be issued for violations that occur beginning on March 21," said police. "Motorists may also have taken notice to the 'No-Turn on Red' signs posted on Route 611 at Bristol Road in addition to Street Road eastbound only at Route 611."

The red light camera enforcement system, the first in the county, went live at the end of January at the two heavily traveled township intersections. A 60-day warning period also began in January in which motorists caught on camera violating the law received written warnings.

Red light violations carry an associated civil monetary penalty of $100. They do not affect a person's driving record (no points), insurance rates or CDL status.

The intersection photo enforcement system operates only when the traffic light is red, capturing evidence of actual violations. The camera captures two photographic images and video of the alleged red light violation, which are reviewed by sworn Warrington police officers prior to any penalty being issued.

"Our goal is not to ‘catch’ violators," said Chief Daniel Friel. "We get no additional revenues from the program and we have no incentive to just catch violators. Our main objective is to reduce accidents, and especially accidents with injuries, by deterring violators and reducing the number of red light violations, not just catching the violators after the fact."

The new monitoring system, Friel said, is aimed at deterring speeding and red light running, reducing crashes and ultimately saving lives.

"Each year, too many families are impacted by crashes caused by people speeding or
drivers failing to stop at red lights. Sadly, the victims of traffic crashes are often occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians who were in the area," said Friel.

The intersections were chosen based on a study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that looked at the number of violations, the number of accidents with injuries, and the difficulty of effectively and safely conducting “traditional enforcement” at the intersections.