Redflex and ATS red light camera costs revealed

Redflex and ATS red light camera costs revealed according to a Lafayette, LA news article. What does it cost the taxpayer or local governments to provide red light cameras? Assuming a profit sharing scenarios, Redflex’s red light camera proposal resulted in the least expensive system — ranging from $6,269 to $83,375. ATS’ red light camera proposal resulted in costs that ranged between $6,000 to $120,000, according to the documents, provided by the Traffic and Transportation Department.

Red light cameras are a $2.1 - $4.2 billion market opportunity in the U.S.

Less than 1% of the market currently penetrated for red light cameras of the 350,000 signalized intersections. Estimates figure 2,500 intersections currently monitored. Potential market is up to 70,000 systems in the near future. Average potential 4 directions which =1,400,000 directions of travel. 5%-10% estimate of total market opporutnity which = 35,000 - 70,000 approaches. This equals a US $2.1 bilion to 4.2 BB market potentail.

Accidents increase after red light cameras are installed

Studies throughout the U.S. show accidents actually increase after red light cameras are installed. From what I read there are fewer "T-bone" crashes and more occurrences rear end "fender benders". Here are a few cities and their reported increases:

Greensboro, N.C. -- 40 percent increase
Anne Arundel County, Md. -- 41 percent increase
Marietta,Ga. -- 51 percent increase
Ontario, Canada -- 15 percent increase
Winnipeg, Candada -- 58 percent increase

Custom License Plate 0D000D0

Sean Tierney hates photo radar. So he decided to think up a creative way to challenge the system and avoid a future ticket. Tierney is not covering up or altering his license plate in any way. And he’s not selling anything. Tempe high-tech businessman ordered a customized Arizona license plate of zeroes, O’s and D’s that blend together in a way that could make it confusing for a photo-enforcement citation reviewer to confirm the license plate. See the link for a picture of the license plate.

Ticket successfully challenged due to light not shown in the picture

Woman challenges a red light camera ticket in court because the ticket fails to prove the light was actually red and that the photo was inadmissible in court. She went to court and pleaded not guilty and opted to challenge the system by questioning the accuracy of the cameras. "The light was not shown in the picture so there was no proof that the light was red," she said in court. Click on the article to read the other details of the case.

Bill to propose flashing beacons at monitored intersections

Red light cameras are not a public safety measure but a guise to raise money for the city of Albuquerque, according to one Republican lawmaker. Sen. Bill Payne, R-Albuquerque, is proposing putting up early warning signs for the yellow warning light on traffic signals with cameras. The bill would require flashing beacons as well as a reminder at all camera-monitored intersections in the state.

More driving distractions coming to a road near you

From cell phones, to drowsiness, to red light cameras, it's hard not to get distracted when you're behind the wheel. And according to one local driver in Georgia, there could be another distraction that's even harder to avoid. Electronic billboards which change constantly taking your eyes off the road. Watch this video at the link above.

Scottsdale Speed Cameras Turned On Again

The six cameras along Scottsdale's 7.8-mile section of the Loop 101 Freeway will be activated at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 22. Under the program, motorists detected traveling 11 mph or more over the 65 mph posted speed limit will be cited for a speeding violation. Scottsdale will post warning signs along the freeway prior to the camera activation to ensure motorists are aware of the enforcement program. Scottsdale concluded a nine-month photo enforcement demonstration program along its section of the Loop 101 Freeway in October 2006. The speed limit on this stretch of the Loop 101 freeway is 65 mph, and the equipment has been set to photograph drivers when they are moving at 76 mph or faster.

Loud Harley Davidson motorcycles may start receiving tickets with new "sound cameras"

One of the most pressing quality of life issues in our ward is noise pollution caused by motorcycles (ie. Harley Davidsons) or vehicles that have been illegally modified to amplify the sound of their engines. Lawmakers in Chicago have attempted to address this issue by establishing firm legal grounds for enforcement and by working with police departments to crack down on offenders. New technology is being tested to combat excessive motorcycle noise with a device called "sound cameras" that can take noise readings and automatically issue a ticket just like the red light cameras.

Facts An Officer Must Verify Before Issueing A Ticket

Red light camera photos taken by road-rule enforcement cameras must be viewed by a person before any infringement notice or ticket is issued to the driver, and judged to be satisfactory or not. Verifiers typically must check some or all of the following:

1) no sign of interference with the vehicle detector by objects other than the vehicle
2) license plate readable according to a legal standard
3) make and model of vehicle matches the recorded license plate nunber
4) appearance of the driver in the images is adequate or that it matches the picture on the drivers license of the vehicle's registered owner.

 

170,000 Injured Each Year By Drivers Running Red Lights

More than 850 people die and and about 170,000 are injured each year in crashes caused by drivers running red lights, the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration says. The Philadelphia study, conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an industry group, examined red light violations using a two-step approach. First, researchers found that violations dropped by 36% after yellow lights were extended to give drivers more warning that the light was about to turn red. After red light cameras were added, remaining violations dropped by 96%. The popularity of the cameras is growing rapidly despite oppostion that centers on constitutional grounds. About 250 communities around the USA use the devices, according to the Insurance Institute. Just 10 years ago, only New York and San Francisco had them.