MOTORISTS who jump red lights will be caught on camera in Chatham from this week in the first scheme of its kind in Kent Sam Lennon writes).

The cameras, at the Luton Arches end of Chatham Hill, have been installed following a spate of cases of drivers going through the lights, considered one of the most dangerous car manoeuvres.

They have been installed on a trial basis by the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, with a view to making them permanent from next Monday.

Linked to the operation of traffic signals, these rear-facing cameras will take pictures when a car travels through red signals. The penalty is the same as for speeding, a £60 fixed penalty and three penalty points.

The cameras and warning signs are placed near the Luton roundabout, both for traffic going up Chatham Hill and those going down towards New Road.

Lorraine Collins, KMSCP communications officers, said: "Red light running is a serious crime which kills and injures hundreds of people every year. The purpose of operating red light cameras at this particular location is to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury crashes.

They are not there to punish drivers but to encourage them to think about their driving behaviour, slow down, observe speed limits and traffic siglnals and contribute to improved road safety."