Salisbury Implements Red-Light Traffic Cameras

SALISBURY, Md. – The City of Salisbury has installed red-light traffic cameras at nine of the city’s busiest and most high-risk intersections. Officials say it’s part of their ongoing efforts to improve roadway safety.

The system will automatically detect and photograph vehicles that are in violation of Maryland traffic law by entering an intersection after the light has turned red. Red-light cameras have been installed at the following intersections:

• Northbound N. Salisbury Blvd (Rt. 13) at N. Pointe Dr
• Westbound N. Pointe Dr at N. Salisbury Blvd (Rt. 13)
• Southbound N. Salisbury Blvd (Rt. 13) at Centre Rd
• Northbound S. Salisbury Blvd (Rt. 13) at W. College Ave
• Southbound S. Salisbury Blvd (Rt. 13) at W. College Ave
• Westbound W. College Ave at S. Salisbury Blvd (Rt. 13)
• Northbound W. Isabella St at W. Salisbury Pkwy (Rt. 50)
• Southbound Nanticoke Rd at W. Salisbury Pkwy (Rt. 50)
• Westbound W. Salisbury Pkwy (Rt. 50) at Mill St

The cameras were activated on Dec. 5, but violations won’t be issued until Jan. 5. A grace period will be maintained for 30 days before notices of violation are issued. During this period, vehicle owners that are issued citations will instead receive warning letters to become familiar with the program. Once fully implemented, the cameras will issue citations with a $75 fine for red traffic signal violations.

The city added that they have identified several other intersections they’d like to install red-light cameras at, pending approval and evaluation from the State Highway Administration.

“With staffing the way it is, we have less manpower available these days to police some of these intersections. So, we do rely heavily on technology, and this is one of those efforts,” Chief David Meienschein of the Salisbury Police Department said.

“There is data that shows that this type of technology does reduce [accidents], people get to know that these lights are policed via camera and that these intersections are just better protected,” Chief Meienschein said.

City officials say revenue generated from fines will be reinvested back into public safety initiatives. This includes intersection improvements, new road signage, driver education programs and pedestrian safety enhancements. 

The cameras will issue fines only and can’t add points to drivers’ licenses.

Some members of the community have mixed feelings on the new cameras. Driver Mike Mann wishes he saw more officers patrolling busy intersections instead of cameras.

“Yes, it does save money as far as the police officers go. But what happened to them just out patrolling? To me that means more to me if I see a police officer, even a parked police officer, than ‘okay who’s watching on my camera here?'” Mann said.

“Our top priority is the safety of everyone who uses our roadways. Too often, we see the devastating consequences that result from drivers running red lights, crashes that are entirely preventable,” said Chief Meienschein. “These new red-light safety cameras are an important tool to help us change dangerous driving behavior, reduce collisions, and save lives. This program is about prevention, not punishment. By encouraging drivers to stop on red, we can make our intersections safer for all motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in our community.”

More information about the red-light safety camera program can be found here.