Camera Used in Alabama City Issues 784 Traffic Fines

Tuscaloosa, Ala., has used a traffic monitoring camera to issue more than 780 citations in the past three months.

The Tuscaloosa News reports 784 citations were issued between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30 to drivers who ran a red light at the intersection of 15th Street and Sixth Avenue.

Drivers are fined $110. City Hall keeps $70 of each fine and $30 is given to Gatso USA Inc., the company hired to install and monitor the camera. The remaining $10 is given to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.

City Engineer David Griffin has said revenue from the citations is being held in an escrow account in case a lawsuit arises challenging the system.

City officials expect cameras to eventually be installed at five other intersections.