In April 2007, the City initiated the use of traffic safety cameras (red light cameras), aimed at reducing the frequency of red light running and associated accidents. The first camera was installed at the intersection of Everhart and Holly and drivers were given some time during a month-long pilot project before any citations were written. With 10 automated cameras operated and maintained by RedFlex Traffic Systems Inc, an Arizona-based public safety support company, the City had issued almost 5,000 citations by the end of October 2007.

A new state law that went into effect September 1, 2007, mandates how red-light cameras are to be used. In addition to setting guidelines for using the cameras, the law also requires municipalities to send half of all profits from the tickets issued by using the cameras to the state comptroller to be spent on regional trauma services, according to the law.

The red-light camera records about 12 seconds of video of a car running the intersection. Then, the video is sent electronically to Redflex Traffic Systems. Technicians provide initial screening and send video of any suspected violations to the Corpus Christi Police Department for review, and Police notify the vendor what cars will be ticketed.

The vendor mails a citation to the car’s registered owner, not the driver, notifying the date and location of the offense. Three photos of the car running the intersection are included in addition to a Web link where a full video can be viewed. Unlike traditional red-light citations, tickets from the cameras are treated as a civil violation -- more like parking violations than speeding tickets. The fine for a ticket issued from a red-light violation recorded on camera is $75. A car's owner usually would receive the ticket within four days and can either pay or contest it in municipal court. People cited have the option of filling out an affidavit attached to each citation to transfer it if someone else was driving. When someone is mailed a citation, he or she has 30 days to request an appeal. Appeal hearings are scheduled most Wednesdays at Municipal Court