Officials have flipped the switch on red light cameras in Abington Township-- making the Montgomery County municipality the first Philly suburb to use the devices.
The law allowing the devices to be used outside of Philadelphia was passed more than two years ago and Abington Township voted on installing the cameras last April.
A 60-day grace period -- during which the cameras will record violations, but drivers will receive only "warnings notices" -- begins Friday.
Actual tickets will be issued starting Oct. 1.
Abington officials said the cameras will encourage drivers to think twice before running a red light, hopefully reducing accidents in the area.
Abington Police Chief Bill Kelly has told AAA that the red light cameras were chosen for locations where there are a significant number of red light violations, accidents, accidents with injuries, and accidents involving red light violations.
The red-light cameras will cover three intersections:
- Route 63 (Moreland Road) & Fitzwatertown Road
- Route 611 (Old York Road) & Susquehanna Road
- Route 611 (Old York Road) & Old Welsh Road
The Township will not gain any revenue from the program, except to reimburse them for the actual program expenses, like equipment and personnel costs.
The red-light program will last one year. At that point, officials will evaluate its effectiveness and vote on extending the program.
