A group of Rochester residents will be staging a protest against the city's red light cameras this afternoon.
Lorraine Parr of the group Ban the Cameras says the use of the cameras places a heavy burden on the working poor, who aren't always in the wrong when they get ticketed.
"I've known people who've gotten tickets when there is an accident and the police directed them to go the other way, and they still get a ticket and still have to explain themselves (in court). This also costs them money, because they have to take time off work, and wait forever to tell them what happened, when they should be able to see it on the camera, but they don't."
Parr says the group will be handing out brochures and asking people to sign a petition at the intersection of Broad and West Main Streets this afternoon at 4.
The city says running a red light is the leading cause of urban motor vehicle accidents and red light cameras are a safer and more consistent way to prevent accidents than traditional police enforcement methods.
Drivers who do not pay the $50 fine if they are caught going through a red light have to pay an additional $25 and may have their car booted.
Rochester City Council approved use of the red light cameras in 2009 and they were operational by 2010.
There are currently 48 cameras at 32 city intersections.
