ATS’ Newsletter Vol. 3, Issue 30

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New-Look Speed Cameras Fit in More Scottsdale School Zones
KTVK-TV Channel 3 (Arizona), June 25, 2013

The Scottsdale Police Department is deploying a new kind of photo-enforcement tool called a portable school tower. Designed specifically to increase safety in school zones, the devices are about the size of a phone booth and can be moved easily to different locations as needed. See related coverage from KTVK.

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Lawmakers Say Yes to Speed Cameras Near N.Y. Schools
CBS New York, June 25, 2013

State lawmakers have voted to allow New York City to install 20 speed cameras, all of which will go up near schools. …  The first round of cameras will be installed near schools where it’s been documented that at least 75 percent of drivers broke the speed limit. See related coverage from The New York Times, City and State and Home Reporter News. Read Mayor Bloomberg’s statement.

Memphis OKs First Speed Cameras
SecurityInfoWatch/The Commercial Appeal (Tennessee), June 20, 2013

School-zone speeders could soon end up with citations in their mailboxes, thanks to the Memphis City Council’s decision to install the city’s first-ever speed cameras near local schools. The city already has 25 red-light cameras in use to nab red-light runners, but the 150 cameras to be installed this summer will be the first to target speeding.

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Murfreesboro Police Video Serves as Public Safety Warning
WTVF-TV CBS 5 (Tennessee), June 25, 2013

The Murfreesboro Police Department released two recent videos recorded by red-light cameras at busy intersections in the city because they are good examples of drivers simply not obeying the rules of the road. The first showed the compact car getting T-boned and flipping. 

Trouble with a Turn
Clearwater Patch (Florida), June 24, 2013

This driver slices through traffic and avoids two collisions to run a red light. Police selected this event as the red-light runner of the week, and will issue the driver a $158 fine.

Traffic Fines Help Fund Police Burglary Detail
WHO-TV NBC 13 (Iowa), June 25, 2013

The Des Moines Police Department is using fines from red-light and speed violations caught on camera to help fund a special “burglary detail” to fight an increase in burglaries. After making 125 arrests and recovering 27 stolen vehicles among other items in five months, the department has decided the keep the squad intact indefinitely. See related coverage in Des Moines Register.

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Capital Beltway Toll Lanes Carrying More Traffic Faster
TollRoadsNews, June 24, 2013

A definite rise in vehicle numbers is noted in the past month along Transurban’s 495 Express Lanes, where the posted speed limit is now 65 mph, up from 55 mph just this week. Experts say the higher speed is likely to attract more users and improves a great travel option. The adjoining untolled or general purpose lanes remain at 55 mph. (Photo by Andrew Mollenbeck, WTOP News.)

Chicago’s Speed Camera Tickets Coming in September
Chicago Sun Times (Illinois), June 22, 2013

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s speed cameras will be installed in August near 50 Chicago schools and parks — and start churning out $35 and $100 tickets in September, City Hall said Friday after finalizing a contract with an Arizona operator. “We should have a signed contract any day, and then we’ll be off to the races,” said Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein.

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St. Petersburg Implements New Red-Light Camera Laws
Bay News 9 (Florida), June 21, 2013

The St. Petersburg City Council voted Thursday night to keep the city’s red light cameras and follow new state laws regulating them. (St. Petersburg Police Department photo)

Multiple Red-Light Violations on Video Gets Serious Response
Main Line Media News (Pennsylvania), June 20, 2013

In a short sampling of 48 hours’ worth of video at three intersections on Lancaster Avenue, Police Committee board members saw multiple vehicles zipping through an intersection after the signal had turned red. Many took right turns, barely slowing down. Some hooked lefts, in front of opposing traffic. … As the behavior repeated, and repeated, and repeated, the realization sank in: “Guys, this really isn’t funny.”

@transalt The @NYSenate has PASSED the #SpeedCamera bill! A major victory for #NYC’s children, who will now be protected from speeding in school zones.

@ATS_RoadSafety  @azfamily: Portable speed-camera towers to monitor Scottsdale school zones. http://bit.ly/133DZUH  pic.twitter.com/9WeAPq8JmF

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American Traffic Solutions is pleased to announce that Clayton County, Georgia, an ATS client since 2011, has renewed its red-light safety camera agreement for another year, through June 2014. ATS is honored to remain a part of Clayton County’s traffic safety program.

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ATS Thanks Fans as Its Social Madness Run Ends; Continues ‘What Drives You’ Contest

American Traffic Solutions wants to thank everyone who voted for ATS in the Phoenix Business Journal’s Social Madness Challenge. Your support moved us into the second round of competition, and helped us spread the word about traffic safety. Unfortunately, we don’t get to advance to the next round, but our own national competition continues. ATS wants to know What Drives You. Simply visit our ATS Linked In, Facebook or Twitter sites to share your story. Three judges will pick the most compelling story and award a Kindle Fire to the grand prize winner once the contest closes on July 3. ATS is committed to making life safer and easier on the road ahead. That’s what drives us! Tell us today what drives you!

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Coalition Applauds Report on Teen Driving; Supports Automated Enforcement to Save Lives
National Coalition for Safer Roads/Reuters, June 26, 2013

The National Coalition for Safer Roads commends the Governors Highway Safety Association’s release of a report highlighting the dangers of speeding among teen drivers, and agrees with the report’s recommendation for the use of automated traffic enforcement to reduce teen speeding. View GHSA report here.

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Commentary: Red-Light Safety Cameras Save Lives
The Lansdale Reporter (Pennsylvania), June 17, 2013

The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s decision to authorize the use of red-light safety cameras in 13 communities throughout the state … can be a positive thing for drivers in Montgomery County because red-light safety camera programs bring significant benefits to the communities where they are deployed.

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Letter to the Editor: Follow the Law and You’ll Be OK
The Advocate (Louisiana), June 27, 2013

As everyone knows, the radar detector is a device that allows drivers to break the law. My question is, why haven’t Louisiana lawmakers passed a law to outlaw these things that encourage a lot of drivers to drive faster than the posted speed limit.

Letter: Lights Policy is a Menace
Santa Maria Times (California), June 26, 2013

Red-light runners have become commonplace within the city, and the decision to remove red-light cameras has only aggravated the issue.

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“I think people are going to think twice before they speed [near] a school, before they hit that accelerator when they know they’re going to get caught by a speeding camera.”
Jeff Klein, New York Senate Majority Co-leader
City and State, June 26, 2013

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“Decreasing the number of drivers who speed is a proven lifesaving measure, and this legislation, which will place speed cameras at 20 key locations throughout our city, will ensure that we continue to protect some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers.”
Michael Bloomberg, New York City Mayor
New York Daily News, June 22, 2013

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