The city of Kissimmee has announced that red light cameras will be activated at the intersection of Bass Road and U.S. Highway 192.

The cameras will be installed the week of June 18 and operate in the test mode for 30 days from the day the cameras go live, according to a city press release.

The cameras will monitor drivers traveling westbound on Bass Road.

This week, the cameras will begin monitoring eastbound traffic at Dyer Boulevard and U.S. Highway 192.

Within the next few months, cameras will be mounted at an additional six intersections that are considered to either have a high traffic volume or where there has been repeat activity for red light violators.

The cameras only will record when a vehicle runs a red light and are not running constantly. Warnings will be issued during the first 30 days of the test mode period for each intersection.

Once the test mode has ended, if drivers fail to stop before the traffic signal turns red, the cameras will capture their vehicle running through the intersection. This will result in a $158 penalty, if paid within 30 days of the violation. If not paid within that window, a uniform traffic citation will be issued and the amount will increase. All tickets will be reviewed and approved by a Kissimmee Police Department officer.

A notice of violation and a traffic citation will not be issued for failure to stop at a red light if the driver is making a right-hand turn in a careful and prudent manner at an intersection where right-hand turns are permissible.

The owner of the vehicle will receive a violation letter, which will include a link to the Web site, which shows a copy of the violation and also explains the appeal process.

The violation is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle and he/she is responsible for payment, unless the owner can establish one of the following four allowable exemptions:

• The motor vehicle passed through the intersection in order to yield right-of-way to an emergency vehicle or as part of a funeral procession.

• The motor vehicle passed through the intersection at the direction of a law enforcement officer.

• The motor vehicle was, at the time of the violation, in the care, custody, or control of another person.

• A uniform traffic citation was already issued by a law enforcement officer to the driver of the motor vehicle for the red light violation.

This is a public safety issue and the city’s objective is to save lives, not generate revenue, the press release stated. This program is cost neutral, therefore the city only pays the red light camera company Redflex per camera to cover the monthly cost of equipment, installation, maintenance and repairs, plus ticket distribution.

For more information, call the Kissimmee Police Department at 407-847-0176.