New red light cameras in Knoxville are high-tech

New red light cameras in Knoxville are high-tech

By KRISTYN CADDELL
6 News Reporter 

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Knoxville's red light camera program is expanding and getting a high-tech makeover, thanks to a new company called Laser Craft.

Two new cameras have already been added, but don't expect to see a flash if you're caught running a red light.

"Now I won't see the flash, I guess it will just be a surprise in the mail," said Greg Scealf.

The new cameras by Laser Craft don't need a flash to do their job, thanks to still ultra low light-sensitive cameras.

"With having the flash-free environment such as ours, you can recycle the flash quicker and take the pictures faster," explains Laser Craft Vice President Burbank Herndon.

There is now one still camera, one video camera and one laser per lane.

"Our laser says, yes, they ran the light and then our camera takes the pictures. We do not have processors deciding who is the violator," adds Herndon.

There are 34 cameras at 15 intersections in Knoxville, all of them with the same technology.

Company officials say the idea behind the technology is to be less of a distraction to drivers and to change their behaviors on the road.

Laser Craft uses less equipment than Red Flex, the previous provider of red light cameras for Knoxville.

All of Laser Craft's equipment is installed above ground.

Fines are still $50.00 for each violation and they can be contested in court.  

The city of Knoxville's contract with Red Flex ended last November.

The new cameras by Laser Craft started being installed in April.

Fines are still $50 for each violation and they can be contested in court.