No more red-light warnings

TAMPA - The days of warnings are over. Starting Tuesday morning, drivers caught on camera running a red light in Hillsborough County will be slapped with a $125 fine.

"We've got a problem out there. Anybody that's driven around Hillsborough County any length of time and been at one of these intersections have seen 3,4,5 or 8 cars run the red light," said Cpl. Darrin Barlow with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

There are six intersections in Hillsborough equipped with red light cameras, including the one at Waters and North Dale Mabry. They were installed in October, but drivers have only received a warning ticket for the first 60 days.

"Hopefully drivers that have gone through these intersections that have not been stopping for the red light - have gotten the message, gotten the warning and changed their behavior," Cpl. Barlow said.

Many drivers have mixed feelings about being caught on tape.

"I really don't like them because at night time when you are driving normally they will just start flashing," said motorist Ismel Pacheco.

Some drivers say they try to avoid the intersections with cameras, while others say, they hate to admit it, but they are driving with more caution.

Junior Garcia also drives through the Waters and Dale Mabry intersection on a daily basis.

"I've already gotten my fair share of tickets so I'm going to try and calm down a lot now," he said.

Hillsborough deputies say drivers shouldn't worry too much about where they are stopping, just as long as they stop.

"You need not worry about your tire placement. Worry about stopping before the intersection and stop on the red lights," Cpl. Barlow said.

Red light cameras are already up and running in parts of Polk and Pasco County, and Sarasota recently approved installing cameras.

They have raised some controversial issues for some who question their use, but deputies say it's about protecting the public -- even that means the pubic must pay up.

Here's a list of the intersections:

• Anderson Road and Waters Avenue
• Waters and North Dale Mabry Highway
• Brandon and Grand Regency Boulevards
• Bloomingdale and Bell Shoals Road
• Slight and Habana
• Bruce B. Downs and Fletcher Avenue