Cameras to put brakes on red-light violators

Are you one of those who often risk jumping red traffic lights or scrambling through on amber?

If so, change your ways, because the authorities are preparing to install cameras at traffic lights.

Association of Local Councils president Ian Micallef and Kenneth DeMartino, general manager of the Guard and Warden Services Ltd, told The Sunday Times that the first cameras are expected to come into operation by March.

In a country where motorists are notorious for blatantly ignoring traffic regulations, the initiative should be a blessing for the law-abiders.

The system is very simple - when the traffic lights turn red, the camera is instantly activated and will automatically save before and after photos of the intersection and close-up images of the licence plate.

The first cameras will be installed in strategic areas, especially those renowned for contraventions, such as Tal-Barrani Road, St Andrew's, the Mriehel By-Pass, and St Anne Street in Floriana.

The cameras will be tested over the next six weeks, with installation spanning two years.

Wardens have been doing their utmost to enforce the law, but the number of contraventions taking place was still unacceptable, Mr DeMartino admitted.

Drivers still regularly ignore red traffic lights and drive through, irrespective of the risk they pose to other drivers or pedestrians, he said.

"The intention is to stop a very dangerous and risky abuse - some people have even been run over while crossing on pedestrian crossings."

Several cities abroad that have installed red-light cameras have reported significantly fewer accidents.

Enforcement has turned out to be a headache for the wardens, since contraventions fizzle out as wardens often cannot produce proof and the case boils down to their word against the driver's.

In a number of cases near the Gozo football ground, several drivers who ignored the red lights were acquitted on the grounds that the warden failed to stop the motorist, Mr DeMartino said.

In an attempt to net more violators, the operators have been forced to place two wardens in strategic areas to act as eyewitnesses for each others and strengthen their case against the offenders - a costly exercise.

General remote monitoring is already used at 35 sites around the island, with strategically placed cameras used to register parking offences.