Bluffton man pushes for bill that would allow red light cameras, automated tickets at dangerous SC intersections

by Aaron Dixon

BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - Lawmakers in Columbia are considering legislation that would allow counties and municipalities across South Carolina to install red light cameras at dangerous intersections — and issue automated citations, which are currently illegal in the state.

The bill gained traction after a crash nearly seven years ago in Bluffton involving Beaufort County resident Jim Anderson.

Anderson said he was turning left at a busy intersection on U.S. 278 when another driver ran a red light and hit him.

“I went to turn left, I was creeping out, and here comes this car. It whacked me,” Anderson said.

Anderson was not injured, but he said the impact could have been far worse.

“I could have been in that ambulance, or somebody could have been in this ambulance,” he said.

Cameras currently banned in South Carolina

South Carolina is one of nine states where red light cameras are banned. Anderson said after his crash, he learned the state does not allow cameras at public intersections, nor does it allow electronic citations.

He also said he frequently sees drivers run red lights at busy intersections — and believes the lack of consistent law enforcement presence plays a role.

“They know that there’s no punishment for stopping,” Anderson said.

In 2011, lawmakers discussed allowing cameras, but no legislation was passed. Now, a similar proposal is back in the State House, and Anderson said he has worked to help push it forward.

“I want this bill signed. I see no options here,” he said.

What the bill would do

If passed, the legislation would allow local governments to install red light cameras at intersections deemed dangerous. It would also allow tickets to be mailed to the vehicle owner within one week of the violation.

Under the proposal:

The fine for a red light violation could not exceed $100
Drivers approaching a yellow light would be required to “slow down immediately when safe.”

“Now we can identify the driver of a vehicle almost 100% of the time because it would use two cameras and not one,” he said.

Anderson said he’s heard alternative suggestions for reducing red light running, but believes cameras are the most effective way to ensure accountability.

“The only option that I see is a red-light ticket camera. I see nothing else, and no one has been able to convince me that there is another solution,” he said.

Concerns from opponents

People opposed to the bill have raised concerns about privacy, data sharing, due process rights, and fears that automated enforcement could increase rear-end crashes. Some critics also argue that the program could become a revenue generator.

Anderson said he believes that argument doesn’t hold up.

“If there are no red-light runners anymore, there’s no ticket money coming in,” he said.