Drivers who jump red traffic lights could be caught on camera from today (27 July) as part of a crackdown by Slough Borough Council and Thames Valley Police.

Enforcement cameras have been switched on at five junctions in a bid to curb red light running and speeding through green traffic lights.

The five camera sites are:

• A355 Farnham Road/A4 Bath Road Tuns Junction

• Sainsbury’s roundabout

• Stoke Poges Lane/A4 Bath Road

• Oatlands Drive/Stoke Poges Lane

• Stoke Road/Elliman Avenue

Motorists caught crossing the ‘stop’ line once the traffic lights have turned red, or speeding through a green light, will be issued with a £100 fine and three penalty points.

An educational course may be offered to some motorists instead of points.

Lynsey Brookfield, leader of the council’s integrated transport and road safety team, said: “All drivers know it’s illegal and very dangerous to drive through a red light – it’s one of the basics of driving.

“Sadly that doesn’t stop some people trying to dash through in an attempt to save a few seconds on their journey.

“We know this is a particular problem in Slough from the rise in the number of reports we’ve had recently and from police data.

“While police officers will fine anyone they see jumping a red light, they can’t monitor junctions 24 hours a day like a camera can.

“We think these cameras will prove to be a very effective deterrent.”

The most extensive survey of red light running in Slough took place in 2011. It found 4.3 percent of all injury collisions on the borough’s roads had either red light jumping or speeding through green traffic lights as a contributing factor – double the Berkshire average. Councillor Sohail Munawar, commissioner for social and economic inclusion, with a responsibility for road safety, said: “Anyone who drives regularly in Slough will tell you we have too many impatient drivers who are not prepared to wait at red lights.

“They not only put their own lives at risk but also those of other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

“I welcome the use of the cameras, which will make our junctions a lot safer and potentially save lives.”

Claire Benson, head of road safety for Thames Valley Police, said: “There are significant issues with red light running and speeding over green lights where the cameras have been installed, consequently putting all lives in danger.

“The implementation of these cameras will hopefully change driver behaviour, thus making the roads safer for all of us.”