Oak Ridge: Big Brother is Awake! Red light cameras in action

Yesterday evening at approximately 8:30, I was driving through Oak Ridge and had come to a stop at the intersection of Illinois Ave. and Robertsville Road - one of four places where the City of Oak Ridge has installed Redflex red light safety revenue cameras.

I saw two motorists make LEGAL right turns on red. The Redflex cameras flashed both of them. I guess they'll be receiving some nastygrams in the mail soon.

ATTENTION OAK RIDGERS AND PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL THROUGH OAK RIDGE:
The "Big Brother" cameras are now ACTIVE in Oak Ridge. They are currently in the initial 30-day period where they only issue "warnings." Starting JUNE 1st, they will begin issuing actual citations instead of warnings.

The "active" cameras:

Intersection of Illinois Ave. and Robertsville Rd. (in front of Robertsville Middle School)
- Monitors red light AND speeding on Illinois Ave.

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Intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Dr./New York Ave. (First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge is located at this intersection)
- Monitors red light AND speeding on Oak Ridge Turnpike
- Monitors left turns on red from eastbound Oak Ridge Turnpike to northbound New York Ave
- Monitors right turns on red from westbound Oak Ridge Turnpike to northbound New York Ave

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Soon to be active:
Cameras on Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of Oak Ridge High School

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Cameras on Robertsville Road at Willowbrook School

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Now is the time to familiarize yourself with Tennessee traffic laws if you're in any doubt.

RIGHT TURN ON RED
Unless otherwise posted via a "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" sign, it is legal to turn right on a red light under the following conditions:
- You have to come to a full and complete stop before turning. No "rolling stops" or simply slowing down.
- You must yield to any pedestrians or other traffic or obstructions.

TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED
55-8-198. Citations based on surveillance cameras. —

(a) A traffic citation that is based solely upon evidence obtained from a surveillance camera that has been installed to enforce or monitor traffic violations shall be considered a nonmoving traffic violation.

(b) An employee of the applicable law enforcement office shall review video evidence from a traffic light signal monitoring system and make a determination as to whether a violation has occurred. If a determination is made that a violation has occurred, a notice of violation or a citation shall be sent by first class mail to the registered owner of the vehicle that was captured by the traffic light signal monitoring system. A notice of violation or citation shall allow for payment of the traffic violation or citation within thirty (30) days of the mailing of the notice. No additional penalty or other costs shall be assessed for nonpayment of a traffic violation or citation that is based solely on evidence obtained from a surveillance camera installed to enforce or monitor traffic violations, unless a second notice is sent by first class mail to the registered owner of the motor vehicle and the second notice provides for an additional thirty (30) days for payment of the violation or citation.

(c) The following vehicles are exempt from receiving a notice of violation:
(1) Emergency vehicles with active emergency lights;
(2) Vehicles moving through the intersection to avoid or clear the way for a marked emergency vehicle;
(3) Vehicles under police escort; and
(4) Vehicles in a funeral procession.

(d) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (d), the registered owner of the motor vehicle shall be responsible for payment of any notice of violation or citation issued as the result of a traffic light monitoring system.

(2) An owner of a vehicle shall not be responsible for the violation if, on or before the designated court date, the owner furnishes the court an affidavit stating the name and address of the person or entity that leased, rented or otherwise had care, custody or control of the motor vehicle at the time of the violation.

(3) If a motor vehicle or its plates were stolen at the time of the alleged violation, the registered owner must provide an affidavit denying the owner was an operator and provide a certified copy of the police report reflecting such theft.

(4) An affidavit alleging theft of a motor vehicle or its plates must be provided by the registered owner of a vehicle receiving a notice of violation within thirty (30) days of the mailing date of the notice of violation.