Calif. to install speed sensors on red-light cameras

Leave it to the financially burden state of California to come up with the next revenue-generating traffic fix.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a plan that gives cities and counties permission to install speed sensors on red-light cameras to catch violators. Those traveling in excess of 15 mph over the speed limit would get hit with a $225 ticket. Faster vehicles could be charged as much as $325.

Schwarzenegger wants the sensors to be installed on 500 cameras in southern California, which according to the state’s Department of Finance could catch 2.4 million motorists a year.

The move could generate as much as $337 million though June 2011, which would help pay for state courts. Every year after that the program could produce $500 million, according to the Finance Department. Local governments would get their share, but it was not revealed exactly how much.