Gwinnett Co. approves using red-light cameras one more year - CBS Atlanta 46

When Porcia McKnight drives with her daughter, Arissa, she wants to know the roads are safe.

"I've seen a lot of people run the red lights," McKnight said.

That is why McKnight is glad the county installed a red-light camera at the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Singelton Road.

"If people see a camera, they're gonna slow down 'cause they don't want a ticket," McKnight said.

Gwinnett County has approved the use of its three red-light cameras for at least one more year and is considering adding a fourth, said Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Edwin Ritter.

"The camera locations where we have these have reduced traffic accidents in those area and citations issued have gone down," Ritter said.

Red-light cameras caught 7,900 violators last year and generated $490,000, Ritter said.

When asked if the county decided to extend the use of red-light cameras, Ritter said, "No it's not. We're trying to shift the burden from the taxpayers to the violators themselves."

Ritter insisted the county's goal is public safety not profit.

"We've reduced injuries and accidents," Ritter said.

A number of cities in the region, however, are getting rid of red-light cameras. Atlanta is eliminating five and keeping only three because of a drop in crashes and citations.

"We're trying to do whatever we can to reduce those injuries and costs going out to the insurance companies and everybody else involved in the accident," Ritter said.

Ritter said most of the money the tickets generate go to maintenance and other costs, adding the county earns little from red-light camera violations.

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