Red light cameras proving to be effective in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Red light cameras have been used in Crestview for almost a year.

Two cameras were installed at the intersections of Ferdon Boulevard and Redstone Avenue as well as Ferdon Boulevard and James Lee Boulevard. The cameras went live in December, but citations did not begin until January.

“I think the red light cameras are doing a good job of holding people accountable,” Police Chief Stephen McCosker said.

According to research done by McCosker, 75% of the 3,435 violations that have occurred were made by non-Crestview residents.

Most of those violations have occurred at the Ferdon Boulevard and James Lee Boulevard intersection.

“Our overall goal is to gain voluntary compliance so we don’t have to write citations,” McCosker said. “People know we will write citations so they comply with the law.”

In addition to traffic citations, the cameras are used by the police department to educate commuters on the severity of crashes that occur when someone runs a red light.

“With the amount of traffic, sometimes people get in a rush and try to get through the light quickly and that causes t-bone crashes, ” McCosker said. “It (the cameras) helps us with an education campaign and makes people aware of the fact that these types of accidents are dangerous.”

According to McCosker, the number of T-bone crashes have been cut in half at both intersections since the installation of the cameras.

McCosker said there are currently no plans to add more cameras at other intersections, but there has been discussion on increasing officer presence at those other intersections.

“As we hire more officers, there will be more focus on traffic and more focus on traffic education,” McCosker said.

McCosker added that in the future he would like to add electronic signs throughout the city that shows drivers their speed.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Red light cameras proving to be effective in Crestview