As the chief was holding a press conference to announce the crackdown on red-light violators, three drivers gunned their vehicles through the intersection against the signal. All three got tickets. But the police department does not have enough officers on the payroll to give all of the dangerous intersections the attention they deserve. That's why the city is looking at the possibility of installing cameras at certain intersections. Under this system, which is used in a number of cities across the country, a camera automatically snaps a picture of cars that disobey traffic signals.
Authorities use the tags to track the owners, who receive a ticket in the mail a few weeks later.
But it's also a way to help save lives and prevent losses. City officials deserve credit for looking at the system, which seems to be effective in other cities where it is used. Besides, the statistics speak for themselves. The sooner that motorists who see red opt to reach for the brake instead of the accelerator, the better. Find e-mail addresses and phone numbers of reporters, photographers and editors.