As Boynton rolls out two more red-light cameras, does the data show the system is working?
BOYNTON BEACH — After installing 16 red-light cameras, the city of Boynton Beach has added two more at the intersection of Congress Avenue and Miner Road that are set to kick in Thursday, March 13 — and they aren't stopping there.
With 18 cameras installed throughout the city, and three more already approved for installation by the City Commission, Boynton Beach traffic safety officials hope to reduce the currently high volume of intersection crashes.
'The purpose of installing them was to ultimately reduce the number of injury and fatal crashes … bringing awareness to red-light running, obviously, is how that was going to be achieved through this program,' said Traffic Sgt. Chris Munro of the Boynton Beach Police.
The Red-Light Camera Program, implemented by the city in 2011, aims to provide 'an effective equitable tool for communities that are determined to reduce red-light running and keep people safe,' according to a 2024 program presentation by the city.
The installed red-light cameras capture a vehicle's data, including video and high-resolution images, if that vehicle crosses the stop bar after the signal has already turned red.
Red-light camera intersections are selected based on the city's crash data. The program places the cameras where accidents and traffic are highest.
'We look at where the crashes are happening at the intersections, the volume of traffic going through them … the number of injury crashes or fatal crashes and make a determination based on that data,' Munro said.
The current 18 intersections with red-light cameras are:
Northwest Eighth Street at West Boynton Beach Boulevard (southbound and westbound).
Boynton Beach Boulevard at North Seacrest Boulevard (eastbound).
South Federal Highway at Southeast 23rd Avenue (northbound and southbound).
East Gateway Boulevard at North Congress Avenue (northbound, southbound, eastbound and westbound).
West Boynton Beach Boulevard/Northwest Second Avenue at North Congress Avenue (northbound and eastbound).
West Woolbright Road at South Congress Avenue (northbound, southbound, eastbound and westbound).
West Woolbright Road at Southwest Eighth Street/Corporate Drive (eastbound).
Congress Avenue at Miner Road (northbound and southbound).
The city hopes the latest camera installations will help address crashes in the city. While the violations remain at the city level and do not impact license or driving records, residents who violate red-light traffic could face fines starting at $158, with the potential to reach $264 if not paid within 60 days.
Despite potential high fines, Munro said the implementation of red-light cameras has been beneficial in keeping the roads safe.
According to Munro, injury and fatal crashes have decreased by 35% since the program's first five years in effect, with total crashes reportedly down by 10%. 'Based on the stats, it is working to reduce those numbers,' he said.
However, the number of red-light violations has not seen the same improvement, as red-light violations have increased in recent years, with nearly 1,000 additional violations reportedly issued in the last year.
An official data overview reports 37,565 violation notices issued in the city between 2023 and 2024. Intersection traffic has also significantly increased.
With a substantial increase in red-light violations, residents have expressed concerns about the accuracy of the red-light cameras, and question whether the implementation of these cameras is just another way for the city to generate revenue. But Boynton Beach Traffic Unit officers say extensive measures are in place to prevent the issuing of false violations.
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The Boynton Beach Police Department partners with a third party that collects the traffic data sent to the city. Munro said all potential violations are reviewed by officers and undergo license plate verification, as well as video analysis, before being issued.
'One of our officers reviews every potential violation; that includes three different still-frame photographs, as well as a video… There's a bunch of fail-safes in place in order to prevent incorrect violations going out to people,' Munro said.
Munro also stressed that all generated revenue goes back into traffic safety. The official Red-Light Camera program outline notes that revenue generated from violations is used to fund public safety aides, school crossing guards, and other traffic safety tools.
'If it was about revenue, we'd put them at every intersection. We're identifying the problem areas that warrant it and are trying to reduce those numbers of the crashes based on the problems, not just blanket the entire city with the cameras to increase revenue,' Munro said.
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While some residents complain about traffic tickets, others have requested more cameras be installed, saying they appreciate the safety it brings to the city.
'It's not uncommon for us to actually get requests from residents asking us to add cameras in certain areas because they see speeders, or they see people running red lights, or they're concerned about kids,' said Chelsea Sanabia, Boynton Beach's public safety and public information officer. 'Throughout the year, we do get quite a bit of requests or people pointing out areas of concern.'
However, with 18 cameras now located throughout the city, Boynton Beach officials report receiving mixed responses from residents.
'Some residents are 100% for it; they agree with the program, they do feel that it does help reduce the crashes, and appreciate it. And then there are some that don't agree with it and wish they were not there,' Munro said.
'Unfortunately, we're never going to please everyone, but ultimately, our goal is to reduce those crashes, especially the injury and fatal ones.'
There are currently three more cameras scheduled for installation at Woolbright Road and Seacrest Boulevard. Officials have not said when they would be installed.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boynton Beach adding two red-light cameras - where are the locations?
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