ATS’ Newsletter, Vol. 4, Issue 30

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Cuomo Signs Speed Camera Bill for School Zones
Newsday (New York), June 25, 2014

In a ceremony at Bethpage High School, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation Wednesday allowing Nassau and Suffolk counties to place speed cameras in school zones as they seek to boost safety and revenue. See related article from WCBS-TV CBS 2.

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Mayor Seeks Larger Share of Red-Light Running Fines for Traffic Safety Projects
WFTV-TV Channel 9 (Florida), June 24, 2014

They’re designed to keep drivers safe, but new numbers show Orange County is making far less money on red-light cameras than expected. Nearly 40 red-light cameras were installed at intersections across Orange County and officials said $800,000 is what the county has to show for turning out tickets at $158 apiece.

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Scottsdale Police Use Camera Kiosk to Nab Speeders
KTVK-TV Channel 3 (Arizona), June 23, 2014

We’re all supposed to pay close attention while driving along city streets. And even when you do, you might not see everything you happen to drive by, like the new tool from the Scottsdale Police Department that will help officers nab speeders. It’s a portable speed safety camera, a small beige tower smack dab in the middle of a sidewalk. It’s the latest tool that Scottsdale Police Sgt. Ben Hoster says the city is using to catch speeders.

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Officer Seriously Injured in Red-Light Running Crash, Police Say
Newsday (New York), June  23, 2014

A Long Beach police officer was seriously injured early Monday when his marked patrol unit was struck by a car that ran a red light, officials said. See related article in Long Beach Patch. (Long Beach Patch photo by Clayton Warrin)

Cartwheeling Motorcyclist Watches Video of His Own Crash
Rochester Democrat (New York), June 20, 2014

This shocking footage of a motorcyclist cartwheeling over a car in Florida is so unreal, even the guy who was in the crash has to watch it twice. But get this… he can’t wait to ride again. See related article from NBCNews.com.

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State House Approves Bill for Red-Light Cameras in Fayetteville
Time Warner Cable News (North Carolina), June 25, 2014

The state House has approved a bill that would bring red-light cameras back in the city of Fayetteville. The city used to use red-light cameras to catch violators, but had to stop the program in 2006 because the proceeds were not being used to fund education which is considered unconstitutional. (StarNewsOnline photo by Paul Stephen)

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Albany’s Madison Avenue May Be Red-Light Camera Ready
Times Union (New York), June 25, 2014

Now that the city has the state Legislature’s approval for red-light cameras, the next step is determining where to put them. For many Times Union readers, Madison Avenue was the most popular choice.

Gilbert Police Warn about Phone Scam
The Arizona Republic, June 25, 2014

Gilbert police are cautioning residents to be aware of a phone scammer who calls and identifies himself as a police officer. The man tells potential victims that they have outstanding arrest warrants, traffic fines or photo radar tickets. The scammer threatens victims with suspension of their driver’s licenses if they do not pay the fines over the phone. Gilbert Police and Gilbert Municipal Court inform residents that they will never ask a person to submit payment over the phone.

N.Y. Legislature Passes Red-Light Camera Bill
WTEN-TV ABC 10, June 21, 2014

A bill allowing cameras to be installed at Albany intersections has been passed by the New York State Legislature. Albany can now further study the possibility of installing those cameras at up to 20 intersections. See related coverage from Journal News/lohud.com.

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ATS Finds School Bus Stop Arm Cameras Reduce Violations
EIN Presswire, June 25, 2014

American Traffic Solutions CrossingGuard school bus stop arm cameras are typically placed on bus routes where a significant stop arm running problem has been identified. And while the number of violations on those routes fell by more than 15 percent during the school year, ATS customers have reported stop arm running violation decreases fleet wide, on all buses. View online report here.

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ATS Fleet Services Unit Acquires Rent A Toll
The Wall Street Journal, June 26, 2014

ATS Fleet Services, a leader in toll and violation management solutions, has acquired all the assets of Carrollton, Texas-based Rent A Toll, a provider of toll management solutions to rental car companies and corporate fleets.

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Texas Sees Potential in U.S. 75 HOV to Toll Lane Switch
The Dallas Morning News, June 24, 2014

The Texas Department of Transportation is floating a proposal to turn HOV lanes into toll lanes along a section of U.S. 75, one of the last regional highways that is still toll-free.

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Summer Traffic Helps Unique Toll Tunnel Flourish
Alaska Dispatch, June 21, 2014

Fourteen years ago, the $80 million Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel opened for the public to drive cars, motor homes and trucks hauling fishing boats between Portage and Whittier. Despite a toll-free tunnel the first year, the state overestimated tunnel traffic, and its financial prospects seemed questionable. But more than a decade later, traffic through North America’s longest combined rail/highway tunnel has finally picked up to the point the state is earning a profit. (Alaska Dispatch photo by Loren Holmes)

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ATS_Road Safety @ATS_RoadSafety New Analysis: Authorities issued 14,319 citations based on traffic violations captured on school bus safety cameras ATSCrossingGuard.com.

NHTSA @NHTSAgov RT if you keep a safe distance between you and the vehicles around you.

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Commentary: Red-Light Cameras Designed to Increase Driver Awareness
Around Osceola (Florida), June 20, 2014

A new era of traffic safety is about to begin at the most dangerous intersections in Osceola County. Authorities will now use red-light safety cameras to enforce traffic laws and correct the dangerous and prevalent red-light running behavior that too often leaves innocent drivers and passengers injured.

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Letter to the Editor: Red-Light Cameras Make Streets Safer
Sun Sentinel (Florida), June 25, 2014

I am mystified by the furor over red-light cameras. The primary issue is safety. That fines raise a lot of money illustrates the extent of the violations taking place. Every article I read mentions that fatalities are down by nearly half, a success story in itself.

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“If you think speed cameras are intrusive, don’t break the law. And if you don’t break the law, you don’t have anything to worry about. And if you’re speeding in front of a school, you should have something to worry about, because it is reckless.”
Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York
Time Warner Cable News/NY1.com (New York), June 25

“I know a lot of people have expressed reservations about the red-light cameras, but too often Albany drivers think the red light begins 10 seconds after it turns red.”
Todd Hunsinger, President of the Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association, Albany, New York
Times Union (New York), June 25, 2014