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Video Details New Jersey’s Red-Light Safety Camera Program
The Star Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 16, 2013

One of the two vendors for New Jersey’s controversial red-light cameras has put out a video intended to provide a comprehensive look at the process — and clear up some persistent questions. The video by American Traffic Solutions is scheduled to be advertised on NJ.com and New Jersey 101.5. Click here for video. See related press release.

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Advocates Rally for Pedestrian Safety
The Atlantic Cities (New York), Nov. 14, 2013

Advocates for safer streets recently held a rally in Queens called “Three Children Too Many.” It memorialized three young victims of traffic violence, who died in the Jackson Heights neighborhood over the past year. At the rally, the parents of Allison Liao, a 3-year-old killed by a driver who failed to yield in a crosswalk in Flushing, Queens, gave voice to their grief. Click here for video. (Image by The Atlantic Cities and StreetFilms)

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Crosswalk Safety, Red-Light Running Fine Revenue Combine in Amarillo
KVII-TV ABC 7 (Texas), Nov. 21, 2013

Two city Traffic Commissioners are intending to randomly check a number of crosswalks this weekend to determine their safety. Commissioner Mark Nair says because revenue from the red-light cameras is dedicated to traffic safety, they’d been considering crosswalk safety for some time.

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Task Force Supports Red-Light Cameras in Sugar Land
Sugar Land City Press Release (Texas), Nov. 20, 2013

The Traffic Safety Task Force recommended the continuation of red-light cameras in Sugar Land but asked City Council on Nov. 19 to consider modifications such as increased signage and yellow light timing. The task force acknowledged the cameras are an important public safety tool that contributes to the safe operation of high-volume intersections in Sugar Land by changing the behaviors of drivers. See related coverage from Sugar Land Sun. (Photo by YourFortBendNews.com)

Piscataway Red-Light Safety Cameras to Stay
The Alternative Press (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2013

The state Department of Transportation said this week it would not require Piscataway to take down its red-light cameras along South Plainfield’s border. Assistant DOT Commissioner Anthony J. Attanasio said that Piscataway’s cameras are part of a five-year pilot program and that data from the intersections is needed so the department can “make sound safety recommendations to the Governor and State Legislature.”

Nassau County Expands Red-Light Camera Program
New Hyde Park Patch (New York), Nov. 19, 2013

Nassau County began installation of two red-light cameras on Friday afternoon along Jericho Turnpike. The county currently has cameras at 76 locations out of the 100 it is allowed under law.

Diboll Council Agrees to More Red-Light Cameras on Highway
Lufkin Daily News (Texas), Nov. 19, 2013

Members of the Diboll City Council elected on Monday to place additional red-light safety cameras along U.S. Highway 59 in the city. The approved resolution authorizes American Traffic Solutions to install cameras at the three selected locations.

Number of Red-Light Safety Cameras Increase in Pueblo
KXRM-TV FOX 21 (Colorado), Nov. 19, 2013

The Pueblo Police Department has partnered with American Traffic Solutions to install a third red-light safety camera to its program. Police said the camera systems are in response to a survey completed last year, which identified intersections with a high number of red-light violations.

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Red-Light Camera Video in Missing Person Case Released
WTSP-TV CBS 10 (Florida), Nov. 18, 2013

Orlando police released red-light camera video showing what they say is the vehicle of Michelle Parker, who vanished two years ago in Central Florida.

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D.C. Metropolitan Police Release Photo Enforcement Statistics
DCStreetSafe.org (District of Columbia), Nov. 18, 2013

Photo Enforcement and Traffic Crash Statistics provided during the DC StreetSafe Automated Traffic Safety Enforcement press event are available. (Graphic by D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and DCStreetSafe.org)

Scottsdale’s New Camera Site in Warning Phase
City of Scottsdale (Arizona), Oct. 31, 2013

During the month of November, Scottsdale’s new fixed site photo enforcement location at Alma School Road and Dynamite Boulevard /Rio Verde Drive will issue warnings only to alert the public of the new device. After the 30-day warning period is over the photo enforcement site will begin issuing citations to drivers who travel 11 miles or more over the speed limit.

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Pedestrian Exiting School Bus Struck by Vehicle
WPVI-TV ABC 6 (Pennsylvania), Nov. 19, 2013

Police say a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle after getting off a school bus in West Philadelphia Tuesday evening. … The victim’s injuries, according to investigators, are non-life threatening.

Police: Vehicle Swerves Away from Children Off School Bus, Hits Teen
WRGA-Radio 1479 AM (Georgia), Nov. 19, 2013

A teenager was injured after she was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of 19th and Flannery streets on Tuesday afternoon. According to Capt. Paul Greene of the Rome Police Department, a group of children had been let off the school bus and were in the roadway. A vehicle swerved to go around the children and struck the teen. Her injuries do not appear to be serious.

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2,700 Tickets Issued in 1st Month of Speed Cameras
CLTV Chicagoland Television (Illinois), Nov. 20, 2013

In one month, authorities issued 2,722 speeding tickets from photo enforcement cameras installed around four parks in Chicago.

Kent to Use Speed Cameras to Stop Lead-Footers Near Schools
KomoNews.com (Washington), Nov. 18, 2013

The city of Kent, which has shunned traffic cameras in the past, has reversed course and is installing its first cameras ever to maintain safety around two elementary schools.

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Updated ePrimer Addresses Electronic Tolling
U.S. Department of Transportation, Nov. 18, 2013

The U.S. Department of Transportation will soon release a new, advanced, web-based textbook on intelligent transportation systems, the ITS ePrimer. This electronic resource will provide transportation professionals, educators, students, and others with a series of up-to-date, web-based modules describing key ITS topics, including electronic tolling, with a multi-modal perspective.

More States Consider Toll Roads to Fund Infrastructure
USA Today/Detroit Free Press, Nov. 11, 2013

Cash-strapped states are scouting for ways to pay for critical road work, and increasingly, the result for motorists is the same: You’re going to have to pay a toll. In the past, state and federal gas taxes largely covered the cost of building and maintaining roads. But the federal gas tax, currently 18.4 cents per gallon, has not changed in 20 years. Meanwhile, people are driving less and vehicles are becoming more fuel efficient. 

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American Traffic Solutions is pleased to announce that the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has approved the renewal of its road safety camera contract with ATS for another year, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2014. ATS, Gwinnett County’s vendor since 2010, is honored to continue to partner with the county and contribute to its traffic safety program.

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@ATS_RoadSafety  Have u been the victim of a red-light runner? Need someone to talk to? Check out @NoCrashes for more info: http://bit.ly/oHV7nJ

@ATS_RoadSafety  Video: explains how New Jersey’s red-light safety cameras work: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/11/video_explains_how_new_jerseys_controversial_red-light_traffic_cameras_work.html  @njdotcom  #stoponred

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Commentary: If You Dislike Traffic Jams, Support Better Transit
The Patriot News (Pennsylvania), Nov. 18, 2013

One key to Harrisburg’s future is vastly improved public transportation. Some 40,000 commuters come into the city every workday – proof that the fate of the city is inextricably tied to the surrounding region. … Speed and red-light cameras can be used for greater enforcement. Methods to slow traffic should be implemented where there are many pedestrians.

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Editorial: Put No Curbs on Road Safety
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), Nov. 20, 2013

The video is chilling: a group of schoolchildren are halfway across the street in the crosswalk when a car comes barreling through without even slowing down. Miraculously, the kids are able to dodge the car, so no one is hurt — but it’s only luck and a few inches between them and tragedy. … Those who don’t believe that traffic cameras serve a valuable purpose should watch this video.

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Letter to the Editor: A Few Important Points about Speed Cameras
Mason City Globe-Gazette (Iowa), Nov. 21, 2013

Several years ago I drove through Cedar Rapids. A few weeks later I opened a letter from the city with a very nice photo of my car, vanity plates and all, and the accompanying narrative stating I was cited for speeding. My reaction was the same as if an officer had pulled me over: I’m sorry officer/camera and here’s the money for my fine. In my 50 years of driving I have yet to see a sign that says there is a trooper half a mile down the road running his radar. Cedar Rapids warned me with signs and I obviously ignored them.

Letter: Give Red-Light Cameras a Chance
Bucks County Courier Times (Pennsylvania), Nov. 17, 2013

Let’s set the record straight on the outlook for Abington Township’s soon-to-be-launched red-light safety camera program. AAA and others are passing judgment before the program has gotten off the ground, unfairly comparing Abington to Philadelphia.

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“Our hope is that drivers modify their behavior so citations don’t have to be issued. One of our top priorities is safety for the motoring public.”
Jim Butera, Scottsdale Police Department Sergeant
AZNewszap/Scottsdale Independent (Arizona), Nov. 20, 2013 

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“Based on past data, (red light camera) locations as a group show across-the-board decreases in right-angle, rear-end and total crashes.”
Anthony J. Attanasio, Assistant New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner
The Alternative Press, Nov. 19, 2013

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“When the speed limit was 20 mph we had a car, at least a few cars going over 50 mph and one was going 58.”
Ken Thomas, Police Chief of Kent, Washington
KOMONews.com, Nov. 18, 2013

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Tolling – National
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 42 states and the District of Columbia now have some sort of tolling authority or facility. SOURCE: USA Today, Nov. 11, 2013.

Public-private road partnerships are becoming more popular, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Jaime Rall. Thirty-three states have authorized such agreements, up from 29 in 2010, and at least 24 states have considered legislation that would create a public-private road partnership this year, twice the 2008 figure, Rall said. SOURCE: USA Today, Nov. 11, 2013.