Quote Originally Posted by Rich Shopes, Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Get ready to smile for the camera.

Hillsborough County is about a week away from selecting a company to install automated cameras at 10 intersections to photograph and ticket drivers who run red lights.

That means drivers could see $125 tickets showing up in their mailboxes by early next year.

A committee of seven sheriff's officers and deputies has spent the past month reviewing applications from five companies to install and operate the cameras.

Hillsborough is following other Florida jurisdictions in support of camera enforcement after lawmakers refused to enact legislation to govern the technology.

"The intention here is to make roads safer, to prevent serious crashes and to just reduce violations," Rodriguez said. "It's been successful in other areas, and that's what we're trying to duplicate here."

In 2007, more than 100 people were killed in accidents in which drivers ran red lights and more than 5,800 were injured, according to the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Sarasota County, Port Richey, Temple Terrace and Orlando all recently approved camera programs.

The automated, high-speed cameras take photographs of cars and their license plates as the vehicles enter an intersection after the light turns red. Before tickets are mailed out, police officers review the footage.

The sheriff's office will begin ticketing after a 60-day warning period. Motorists who get a ticket can pay the fine or challenge it in court. Getting a ticket will not add points to a motorist's license or affect insurance rates.
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