Grace period ends for Fayetteville's new red-light cameras

For the last week, drivers who ran red lights at three locations – Reilly Road at Kimbridge Drive, Ramsey Street at Law Road and Skibo Road at Morganton Road – only received warning tickets through the mail.

Now, those tickets will be real, and they'll cost drivers $100.

Red-light cameras operate 24 hours a day. When a driver goes through an intersection after the light has turned red, the camera captures still images and video. Those who receive tickets can dispute the violation, transfer the liability for the incident or pay the fine online, over the phone, by mail or in-person.

Mayor Nat Robertson said he is glad to see the cameras are operational, especially after what he witnessed over the weekend.

"In an hour and a half we saw five people run red lights," he said. "I mean just blatantly run, buzz right through them. We're hoping to change the behavior of the people in Fayetteville to make these intersections more safe."

Revenue from red-light camera fines will fund the camera program and provide additional revenue to local schools, according to Fayetteville officials.

The city plans to install additional cameras later in 2015 at the following intersections: