Raising public awareness so people see our red-light safety camera systems to be “good … well explained and thorough” is one important objective of a road safety camera program, which ultimately seeks to change driver behavior and save lives. This note from Colorado Springs — the second in two weeks — shows the message is getting through, one driver at a time. Good work, everyone.

Pennsylvania Governor’s Panel Advises More Red-Light Safety Cameras
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 29, 2011

A 40-member, volunteer panel appointed by Gov. Tom Corbett has recommended that Pennsylvania cities be allowed to deploy red-light safety cameras to reduce crashes at dangerous intersections, and that speed cameras be put to use in construction zones.

Citations Rise in New Port Richey
The Suncoast News (Florida), August 27, 2011

After two months of the city utilizing red-light safety cameras at intersections along the U.S. 19 corridor in New Port Richey, it appears the message has yet to get across to area drivers as citations rose in the second month by 828.

Temple Terrace Adds 3 More Camera Locations
ABC Action News (Florida), Aug. 26, 2011

The city of Temple Terrace has added three new red-light safety camera locations, for a total of five throughout the city. Warnings without fines will be issued to violators during the month of September. (Tampa Tribune photo by Scott Iskowitz)

Piscataway Township in New Jersey and American Traffic Solutions have executed an agreement for the installation and operation of a red-light safety camera program.

In a Miami-Dade County Court this week, Judge Steven Leifman dismissed a challenge to the constitutionality of tickets for red-light violations issued by police officers. The ticketed driver alleged that red light citations issued by police officers are rendered unconstitutional by a recent state law that authorized the use of cameras to enforce red-light violations. The judge’s ruling acknowledged that a ticket issued by a police officer carries a heavier penalty than a ticket generated from a camera, but found that the differences in its penalties serve a legitimate state interest and does not violate equal protection. Read the ruling here.

Back-to-School Red-Light Safety Tips Go Out to Millions
Hola Arkansas, September 1, 2011

As millions of students nationwide head back to school, the National Coalition for Safer Roads is calling special attention to red-light safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

City Police Plan Extra Enforcement in School Zones
RedmondPatch (Washington), August 31, 2011

The Redmond Police Department will enhance its enforcement at the beginning of this school year to catch speeders and other lawbreakers in school zones.


Gwinnett County Schools Consider Bus Cameras
WSB AM 750 Radio (Georgia), August 30, 2011

A second metro Atlanta school system is considering mounting cameras on its school buses to nab drivers who go around buses. Gwinnett County School System pokesman Jorge Quintana says the district is looking at the possibility, but is still in the early stages. (Associated Press photo)

 


Commentary: Red-Light Running Getting Public Attention
Tulsa World (Oklahoma), August 28, 2011

Judging from surveys and other evidence, most people believe that red-light running is out of control. … The push to reduce red-light running is approaching the intensity of the campaigns against drunk driving launched 30 years ago. (Tulsa World photo by Stephen Holman)


Letter to the Editor: Lynnwood Likes Increased Safety from Cameras
The Herald (Washington), August 28, 2011

It is a shame that the reporters of The Herald could not write a less biased piece about Lynnwood and the red light cameras. (The Seattle Times photo by Mark Harrison)

Letter to the Editor: Red-Light Safety Cameras Are Needed, Appreciated
Redmond Reporter (Washington), Aug. 25, 2011

As a walker of the Redmond streets, I can attest to the need to hold red-light runners accountable.

@ATS_RoadSafety #Arizona roadway fatalities dropped again in 2010 @ArizonaDOT reports 1.usa.gov/on9AAo #roadsafety

 

Jacksonville’s Drivers Await Red-Light Safety Cameras
WJXX TV Channel 25 (Florida), August 31, 2011

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is currently looking at installing 25 cameras throughout Duval County in the near future.  A city spokeswoman said the goal would be to save lives.  

Tampa Gets Busy with Red-Light Safety Camera Installation
WFLA Channel 8 (Florida), August 30, 2011

Tampa is the latest city to install cameras to crack down on red-light runners at dangerous intersections, and the city’s mayor tells viewers why they are needed.


“It’s using technology to affect behavior, reduce the cost of enforcement and improve enforcement.”
Barry Schoch, Pennsylvania transportation secretary, and chair of governor’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 29, 2011

“I guarantee you there will be more accidents at those intersections when those cameras are gone. And possibly more deaths.”
Jim Gruwell, Murrieta police sergeant
North County Times (California), August 29, 2011


“You can’t monitor every intersection 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a police officer, but you can with a camera, and if people know cameras are up there, they won’t run the red lights.”
Marc Hamlin, Tampa police assistant chief
The Oracle (Florida), August 28, 2011

California
Murrieta reports more collisions at intersections without cameras than intersections with cameras. From October 2005 to December 2010, two intersections with cameras witnessed 14 angle collisions while 42 crashes occurred at two different locations without cameras on the same busy street that carries 60,000 vehicles a day. SOURCE: North County Times, August 29, 2011.

Florida
As New Port Richey’s red-light safety camera program ended its second month, authorities had issued 828 more red-light running citations than they did in the first month (1,220 compared with 2,048). The city’s five cameras went live on June 15. SOURCE: The Suncoast News, August 27, 2011.

Georgia
In the first two weeks of school, Gwinnett County police wrote 29 citations involving drivers not yielding to school buses, including 17 for improperly passing a school bus. SOURCE: WSB AM 750 Radio, August 28, 2011.

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