Red light cameras officially go live at two intersections in Colorado Springs

When driving through the intersection of Platte Ave. and Chelton Road or Briargate Pkwy and Lexington Drive, just know that someone is watching you — that someone is the Colorado Springs Police as the department’s new red light cameras go live.

You may think that these cameras are just a money grab for CSPD, but Lt. Howard Black said that’s not the case, and these red light cameras are here to help and protect.

“I keep hearing revenue, revenue, revenue. The focus is about safety,” said Black.

Traffic fatalities have become a major problem in Colorado Springs. So far this year, there have been 11, which is exceeding the pace of last year’s record-breaking 48 deaths.

Black said, “That’s 48 community members last year, we have lost 11 so far this year. Any technology that’s available to us, we would be remised not to use it.”

However, these new red light cameras don’t come without controversy.

The project already failed once. In 2010, the cameras were removed after just one year. We spoke to people here in Colorado Springs who have had mixed feelings on the new cameras.

One driver said, “I don’t like them, but I also understand that they have intersections that they probably need to have them in.” While another added, “I think to each their own. Some people prefer privacy and some people prefer their safety, depends on how you look at it.”

So how does it work? It’s simple. If you run a red a light, pictures and a video will be captured of your license plate. You will then be mailed a $75 fine. But you do have some leeway. From now until May 9, there is a grace period and if caught running a red light between now and then, you will only get a warning.