Next time you consider running a red light, think twice.
The city of Austin started a test run of red light cameras on Monday. The study will last 60 days and monitor the number of drivers who don't stop on red.
The cameras are installed at two of Austin's busiest intersections, southbound Interstate 35 at MLK and 11th Street at I-35.
Drivers will not be fined during the trial period and the city hopes they'll increase safety.
"You can enter on yellow, but you cannot enter when it's red, and the officer will be reviewing the speed of the vehicle and amount of time the signal has been red before the vehicle entered the intersection," David Gerard of the city of Austin said.
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Red light cameras
The city of Austin is launching a test run of two red light cameras on the frontage road of Interstate 35.
 
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The city won't start writing tickets until they've picked a camera company to work with after the 60-day study. If you run a red light, the camera will snap a picture of your car, the license plate and the red light. It will send a ticket to the vehicle's owner through the mail.
Drivers don't have a say, but they do have opinions.
"I'm not crazy about it. I don't really like the idea of cameras watching me just because the cops can't," one driver said.
"I think it's a deterrent. I think it will stop some people and make them think twice about running a red light," another said.
If the city council decides to approve red light cameras on a permanent basis, they'll install about 15 of them throughout Austin. After that, if you run a red, you'll be fined $75.
