Ontario cities and municipalities have been given the green light to install red-light cameras at intersections in attempt to reduce collisions.

The Ministry of Transportation announced the province-wide approval of the cameras Tuesday afternoon, along with the news that the municipalities will be allowed to keep the fines they collect.

"One-third of all deaths at municipal traffic light intersections are due to red-light running," Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar said. "Red-light cameras are proven to reduce collisions and fatalities."

Red-light cameras are intended to reduce collisions by photographing licence plates of vehicles that enter an intersection after the signal has turned red.

The owner of the offending vehicle is then issued a ticket in the mail. Vehicles photographed running a red light currently receive a $190 ticket.

Since 2000, the cameras have been in use in six municipalities in Ontario, including Toronto and Peel Region, as part of a pilot project.

The cameras are also in use in Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, Waterloo and Ottawa-Carleton.

The Ministry of Transportation says the red-light camera pilot project reduced collisions resulting in personal injuries and fatalities by close to seven per cent.