The Directory for Transportation

            A Federal Highway Administration (FHA) study from 2006 showed that nearly two of three Americans see someone running a red light more than once weekly.  And about one third of us know someone who has been injured or killed because someone ran a red light.

            Those sobering facts are part of the impetus for the State of Wisconsin lawmakers to consider a bill that would allow cities and towns to use cameras to catch red light runners. Those caught by the cameras would have tickets sent directly to their homes.

            One state representative said in Madison, red light runners have spiraled out of control, noting that most drivers have learned to pause as lights turn green to accommodate the red-light runners. With the cameras in place, a sensor-operated photo would be taken of the car's license plate as it passed through the red light.

            There are 15 states across the nation with laws allowing for the red light cameras.  Some cities currently taking advantage of the law include Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

            In these camera programs, there typically are some differences from tickets issued by a police officer.  For instance, owners would not receive demerit points on their licenses and could not have their license suspended or revoked as a result of a camera citation. Additionally, people would be able to fight tickets if they could prove they were not driving the car at the time of the violation.