PALATKA - Smile, you're on candid camera. Next time you run a red light in palatka, think again. Automated red light traffic safety cameras will begin capturing still images and video of cars running red lights. David Parsons a Crime Analyst for the Palatka Police Department says cameras will operate 24 hours to enhance traffic safety. "Red does mean stop, so we want to make sure people stop and not run through the light and risk the chance of a traffic accident," Parsons says.

By using this  technology of red light traffic safety cameras the city of Palatka is joining more than 70 communities in Florida and about 500 nationally to create safer roads and safer driving habits.

However not everyone agrees with the idea. Penny Evans who has been living in Palatka for 27 years says cameras aren't the way to promote safety. One of the reasons she's against them is because she feels people afraid of getting caught by the cameras when the light turns yellow, might brake abruptly causing more rear end collisions. Evans say, "I've heard in other places that they've had them that people have gotten tickets and it really wasn't their car or it really wasn't that person driving it and they have to go to court and fight it."

Palatka will install these cameras on four different intersections, as you can see on the screen. Red light runners will be issued a notice of violation not a ticket, for 158 dollars. Parsons says the cameras will pay for themselves through the fines gathered. "If you pay the fine, it's as if nothing ever happened. There's nothing on your driving record," Parson said.

And for those who defy the law by not paying the fine within the 30 days allotted, it will become a uniform traffic citation. Meaning the violation will show up on your drivers license, the fine will increase and court costs will be incurred.