ATS’ Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 4


Start 2013 with a Safe End to 2012
American Traffic Solutions wishes all of its customers, their families and drivers everywhere a safe and festive New Year. See you in 2013.


ATS Surpasses Social Media Milestone
GlobeNewswire, Dec. 26, 2012

One recent click is all it took for the ATSRoadSafety YouTube page to pass the notable social media milestone of 1 million views. Launched in November 2010, the webpage is a valuable resource for law enforcement to help raise public awareness about the dangers of speeding, red-light running and school-bus-stop-arm passing.

Red-Light Running Crashes Down Since Cameras Installed
Naples News (Florida), Dec. 24, 2012

Mixed reviews met last week’s decision by Collier County commissioners to remove red-light cameras from local intersections. But behind the rhetoric is a fact that camera supporters herald and opponents dismiss: Crashes caused by red-light runners have gone down locally since the cameras were installed.

Crashes Decrease as Violations Rise in Humble
The Tribune (Texas), Dec. 23, 2012

For the first time since the program began five years ago, the number of red-light camera violations in Humble increased in 2012. … However, officials say the number of crashes at intersections with red-light cameras decreased in 2012.

Red-Light Running Fines Could Fund 24/7 Patrols
The Jersey Journal (New Jersey), Dec. 22, 2012

Hudson County Freeholder Bill O’Dea of Jersey City has apparently found a way to make the most of those red-light cameras that are popping up in the city by demanding that the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office change its table of organization to dedicate a 24/7 patrol on the perimeter of Lincoln County Park.


Boynton Beach to Add 5 More Red-Light Cameras
Palm Beach Post (Florida), Dec. 21, 2012

Commissioners this week approved the purchase of five new red-light cameras, bringing the total in the city to 16.

No. 8 Story of 2012: Palatka Red-Light Safety Cameras Catch Violators
Palatka Daily News (Florida), Dec. 21, 2012

Palatka Daily News staff picked the installation of red-light cameras at four city intersections as the eighth most important story of 2012. Installation of the system began in October; it became fully operational on Nov. 16 and began catching violators.


St. Petersburg’s Camera Program to Continue, Expand
St. Pete Patch (Florida), Dec. 21, 2012

After a three-hour discussion, the St. Petersburg City Council allowed the continuation and growth of the red-light camera program. The number of cameras will expand from 22 to 31.

Speeding Tickets on the Decrease in Germantown
WMC TV 5 (Tennessee), Dec. 21, 2012

The Germantown Police Department confirmed that the percentage of its issued traffic tickets has dropped by about 50 percent since 2009. … Police say a number of variables could be contributing to the slowdown in citations, including red-light cameras at major intersections.


Police Chief Plans to Ask for More Cameras
Wenatchee World (Washington), Dec. 21, 2012

More red-light cameras may be in Wenatchee’s future. Police Chief Tom Robbins plans to ask the City Council, at its annual retreat on Jan. 19, to consider cameras at two more intersections.

Knoxville Will Get 4 More Red-Light Safety Cameras
WBIR TV 10 (Tennessee), Dec. 21, 2012

Knoxville is getting more red-light cameras at four new intersections. Police say the public will be alerted before the cameras go active. A grace period will follow.


Red-Light Running Video Could Make You Cringe
KPHO TV5 (Arizona), Dec. 21, 2012

How many times have you been there, caught between the yellow and red light when you just try to make it anyway? … Well, be warned. A new video shows just how bad it can be if you run a red light.

Video of Red-Light Running Crashes, Close Calls Assembled as Warning
WMC TV5 (Tennessee), Dec. 20, 2012

Thousands of people in the city of Memphis run red lights each year. Shocking new video shows just how dangerous the decision to run on red can be.


Tucson’s Most Dangerous Intersections
KGUN TV9 (Arizona), Dec. 20, 2012

Traffic crashes are decreasing at the intersection of Grant and Swan in Tucson where red-light safety cameras are in use, but it still made AAA’s list of dangerous crossroads.

Get Involved in Saving a Life: Sharing a Tweet is a convenient way to inform others about the dangers of red-light running. Another way is to direct drivers to the ATS YouTube page, where visitors can watch informative videos about road safety camera programs and see the dangerous crashes hundreds of communities are trying to avoid by installing red-light safety cameras. Seeing is believing, which is why ATS invites you to visit our links at the end of this page and share the message to stop on red.

Social Media Mecca ‏@socialmediamec American Traffic Solutions’ Hits Social Media Milestones in 2012: 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Traffic … http://bit.ly/Tw0KN7


Commentary: Red-Light Safety Cameras Save Lives
Times of Trenton (New Jersey), Dec. 21, 2012

I support red-light safety cameras as much as I support speed limits, seat belts and every other traffic law and safety device available to drivers today. Red-light safety cameras save lives, and keeping them in place will continue to benefit all of us in New Jersey.

Commentary: Statistics Show Cameras Make Intersections Safer
Asbury Park Press (New Jersey), Dec. 20, 2012

A recent report on red-light safety cameras from the New Jersey Department of Transportation has the attention of vocal camera-program opponents who are not taking into consideration the bigger picture. Important statistics — that any traffic safety expert would see as positive progress — aren’t getting the attention they deserve. The bottom line is that citations are down, the often fatal right-angle “T-bone” crashes have decreased.


Letter: Rules of Road Simple Yet Often Broken
Brandenton Herald (Florida), Dec. 26, 2012

This is a letter to all the drivers in Manatee County. Your driving habits are atrocious. Let me explain.

Letter: We’re Glad to See School Bus Safety Cameras
The Telegraph (Georgia), Dec. 24, 2012

We’re pleased safety cameras will be used to improve school bus safety in Houston County. The issue of stop-arm violations is a growing problem that has drawn national attention and affects school districts, bus drivers, parents and most importantly, children everywhere.

Letter: A Question of Injuries
Tampa Bay Times (Florida), Dec. 20, 2012

There are more rear-end collisions because it has been a culture in this area to expect the car in front of you to accelerate, not stop, when the light turns yellow. That will eventually change.

Letter: Tradeoff on Crashes
Tampa Bay Times (Florida), Dec. 20, 2012

If red-light cameras cause a spike in rear-end crashes but reduce T-bone crashes in intersections, and the result is fewer serious injuries, I’d say that’s a major benefit.


“The amount of injury crashes at these locations has declined, and I believe that is the result we were attempting to achieve and maintain.”
Ken Theis, Humble Police Department Sergeant and traffic unit supervisor
The Tribune (Texas), Dec. 23, 2012


“The reduction of the devastating T-bone accidents is the main reason I am supporting this.”
Jim Kennedy, St. Petersburg City Councilman
St. Pete Patch (Florida), Dec. 21, 2012

Florida
In St. Petersburg, data show a 25 percent decrease in crashes caused by running red lights and injuries falling by 39 percent at intersections with red-light safety cameras. Source: St. Pete Patch, Dec. 21, 2012.

Texas
Traffic crashes have decreased this year from 11 crashes in 2011 to six in 2012 at the camera controlled intersections in Humble. At the other 24 intersections with traffic signals, a total of 118 crashes occurred. Source: The Tribune (Texas), Dec. 23, 2012.

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