It isn't the number of tickets issued, but the visibility of the cameras that makes the program a success. That's according to Springfield's Assistant Director Of Public Works, Earl Newman.

"We wanted to put the cameras we had at the busiest intersections in the city," says Newman.

Two years ago, the first red light camera went up at Battlefield and National. The plan was to put the brakes on red light runners.

"We really went after this to make it a public education, safety education program," says Newman.

Recent statistics show Springfieldians are learning their lesson. At the first five intersections with cameras, crashes were down 28% from 2007 to 2008.

It doesn't stop at those five, crashes were also down at Springfield's over 250 intersections with traffic signals.

"We wanted to see that people were doing a better job of stopping and respecting red at every one of those," says Newman.

Now, thirteen cameras are snapping pictures of Springfield drivers. The city is seeing even fewer crashes - down 1% from this time last year.

"I think it's fine, make them more careful," said one driver Monday.

"If people didn't do wrong, there wouldnt' be any need for them. I come here every morning and I see people running the lights - it's just not safe," said another.

Even Ashley Douglas, who got a ticket about a week ago, admits the cameras could change driving habits.

"I think it'll help," Douglas says.

That doesn't mean she's happy about the ticket.

"It is $100 and you dont' have the police pulling you over and it doesnt' affect your points, but it's still a little frustrating," she says.

And it's education the city is going for.

"We're doing everything we can do, with in the resources we have, to try to make it safer on the street, but it really comes down, bottom line, as to how people drive," says Newman.

Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com