Cameras Turned Off this Summer on July 15, 2010
The photo enforcement cameras on Arizona freeways that have caused much consternation for many Valley drivers will be turned off. The Department of Public Safety sent a letter to Redflex Traffic Systems, the company that operates the cameras, ending their contract. According to the letter sent to Redflex, "DPS wishes to be clear that its decision to not renew the contract is not a reflection of your company's services or performance of the contract, but a change in the agency's focus." While the 78 fixed and mobile cameras placed strategically along the freeways will be shut down, speed-enforcement and red-light cameras located on city streets will continue to snap offenders.
While the camera system was expected to bring in money for the state, former Gov. Janet Napolitano, who implemented the program, said that was never the primary objective. In any case, the projected $90 million never materialized. During an 18-month time span -- September 2008 through the end of March 2010 -- only about 30 percent of the 1.2 million issued citations were ever paid.