Run red light, ticket could be in mail – City considers traffic signal cameras
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The idea of installing the devices was recommended by Mayor Royce Davenport in March 2006 when he gave aldermen notice that the discussion was coming. Now the discussion is here.
Officials were given a presentation by Redflex Traffic Systems regarding what traffic light cameras are, what they do, how the system works, and the cost to the city.
Redflex is the largest provider of photo enforcement solutions in the United States. The company has over 320 employees with offices in 22 jurisdictions.
The business offers 100 percent digital imaging, 22 years in photo enforcement, patent-protected technology, and is the only provider which can utilize multiple high-resolution digital still cameras and full motion video.
During the presentation, Redflex representatives outlined the pluses of the system, including reducing the risk of intersection collisions, reducing the number of red light violators by up to 75 percent, freeing up police resources for better deployment, and unbiased enforcement with very high conviction rates.
To keep the conviction rate high, not only will cameras take still pictures of the vehicle as it goes through the intersection, and a close up of the vehicle’s license plate, they will also provide a 12-second video of the violation.
Here’s how the system works:
‘ If a violation occurs, McMinnville Police Department will receive the information gathered from the cameras and determine if a violation has occurred, and if the situation warrants a citation.
‘ If a citation is warranted, one is issued by Redflex to the vehicle’s owner, which includes a $50 fine plus any court costs the city imposes. Because the offense is considered a non-moving violation by nature, the same category as a parking ticket, the vehicle’s owner is automatically considered the driver.
‘ The owner has 30 days to respond by paying the citation or denying the violation and asking for a hearing. If they do not respond within the 30 days, they lose their right to a hearing.
‘ If the vehicle’s owner isn’t the driver, they have 30 days to sign an affidavit to that affect and identify the driver. That person is then notified. If the person does not pay the citation, the vehicle’s owner will be responsible.
Because the violation is considered a non-moving violation, the violator does not have to sign the ticket and there are no points placed on the owner’s license. Once the citation is paid the process concerning the violation is complete.
Other uses of the camera system could be to reduce speeders, as the information includes the existing speed limit as well as how fast the vehicle was traveling, and accident reconstruction, as incident information is held for 30 days if needed.
Future technology could allow the system to help with an Amber Alert, vehicle tracking, and search and recovery.
Tuesday’s presentation also addressed methods drivers might try to utilize to avoid a ticket if they are caught running a red light. Two of the most popular items are a spray and a cover that won’t allow a clear view of the car’s license plate. Either is sold for around $20.
‘Neither one of these will work with our system,’ said Redflex senior business development manager Peter I. Fogarassy, who added these methods may be against the law as well. ‘These items also come with a disclaimer because it is legal to sell but not legal to put on your car in some states. The guy who started selling that is now making big bucks.’
Installation of the service by Redflex will not cost the city any out-of-pocket expenses. Future maintenance and upgrades will be the responsibility of Redflex.
The business receives its pay from the $50 paid by violators. Out of the first 90 violators each month, the business will receive $42.50 with the city receiving $7.50. After the first 90, the cost is split 50-50. Anything above the $50 fine that the city decides to impose will be the property of the city.
With the penalty being $50 per violation, if there are 15 paid violations per day per approach or system. That would equal $22,500 per month. Redflex gets $42.50 for the first 90 and $25 for any over 91.
For the city, if there are 450 violations in a month, for the first 90 violations the city will receive $450. For the remaining 360 violations, the city will receive $9,000.
That being the overall package deal presented, McMinnville officials must now decide if they want to move forward with the red light cameras. An ordinance must be written that will allow the contract, as well as approve fines and procedures.