(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) - Beginning today three new Red Light Photo Safety (RLPS) camera systems will go online. This will bring the total of RLPS intersections within the city of San Diego to eleven. These systems are put in place to create a safer environment for San Diego’s motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. 

The new intersections are: Camino del Rio North at Qualcomm Way; Cleveland Avenue at Washington Street; and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard at Convoy Street.

The RLPS system operates using cameras mounted on poles and sensors which are buried in the pavement prior to the intersection. Once the signal turns red, the system is activated and will recognize a vehicle which trips the sensors and travels into the intersection, past the limit line. The camera system photographs the vehicle from the front as well as from behind. The system is designed to operate only after the signal has turned red. A motorist who is caught in the intersection while the signal light is yellow will not be photographed. In addition, the intersections are equipped with video technology which will capture 12 seconds of video for each violation. The video will show the violator entering the intersection after the light has turned red.

During the first 30 days of operation, motorists photographed running a red light at the above named intersections will receive a warning citation in the mail. After this warning period ends, violators will receive a citation with color photos of the violation. The citations carry a minimum $436 penalty.

There are eight RLPS intersections currently in operation: “A” Street at 10th Avenue; Garnet Avenue at Mission Bay Drive; Grape Street at North Harbor Drive; Aero Drive at Murphy Canyon Road; Camino del Rio North at Mission Center Road; El Camino Real at Del Mar Heights Road; Mira Mesa Blvd. at Scranton Road; and 10^th Avenue at “F” Street. 

Locations for RLPS cameras are selected by the City of San Diego Transportation Engineering Division and the San Diego Police Department. The selections are made based on traffic collision history and collision type. Other factors, such as traffic violation history, vehicular, pedestrian and bicyclist traffic volume and speed and input from residents are taken into consideration as well. 

The City of San Diego’s RLPS program creates a safer environment for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. It’s a joint effort of the City’s Transportation Engineering Division and the San Diego Police Department.

Information about the RLPS program is available on the City of San Diego’s web site at www.sandiego.gov. Additionally, residents are encouraged to email suggestions or feedback on the program to redlightphoto@sandiego.gov.