Red Light Revenue Cameras are addictive for cities
Red light revenue cameras are addictive for cities who cite the reason for the cameras are for reducing accidents. There is a lot of data that shows that the red light cameras do increase accidents where the cameras are installed. But, when the revenue is taken away from the cities, then safety all of sudden is not the issue. Charlotte, North Carolina ended its red light camera program and agreed to pay $490,090 to get out of its contract with ticket vendor Traffipax, when they realized that the camera fines would be going to the public schools.
Traffipax red light cameras are advertised as bullet resistant and their optional configuration can also be used to measure speed during the green and amber signal phase to catch drivers who speed through the intersection, or who speed up during the amber phase to make it though the intersection.
Tennessee state Senate votes to clarify its authorization of photo ticketing. Tennessee Senate Votes to Authorize Photo Enforcement
North Carolina Appeals Court Rules Against Red Light Cameras
Statewide Court of Appeals ruling could mean the end of red light cameras in North Carolina.
A ruling today by the North Carolina Court of Appeals threatens red light camera programs in the state. The decision upheld two lower court rulings that had required the city of High Point to direct 90 percent of photo ticket fines to the public school system. Today’s ruling expands the precedent statewide, turning money-making programs into a money-losers for the cities involved.
Article IX, Section 7 of the North Carolina Constitution provides that “the clear proceeds of all penalties and forfeitures and of all fines collected in the several counties for any breach of the penal laws of the state, shall belong to and remain in the several counties, and shall be faithfully appropriated and used exclusively for maintaining free public schools.
In the links below, see what the North Carolina cities did when they found out that the fines collected had to go the schools. This shows that profit was the main reason for the cameras
Charlotte, North Carolina Cameras to be Removed
North Carolina: City Drops Red Light Camera Following Death
Greenville, North Carolina Officially Cancels Red Light Contract
Greensboro, NC Shuts Down Red Light Cameras
High Point, NC Disconnects its Red Light Cameras
Raleigh, North Carolina Prepares to Dump Red Light Cameras
Washington State cities have put the red light cameras on the back burner because of the voter initiative that would direct all profit for congestion relief.
Washington: Referendum Would Force Congestion Reduction
In Washington state, the fear of a voter initiative has frozen the interest of many cities in installing new red light camera systems. Among its many provisions, Initiative 985 would, if enacted, force municipalities to send all profit from photo tickets to a statewide fund dedicated to congestion relief (view initiative details). The mere prospect of passage appears to have persuaded the cities of Aberdeen and Yakima to drop, for now, plans to install the devices.
Camera Maker Admits Ticketing is Addictive
Cities get addicted to red light camera and speed camera revenue according to the CEO of Affiliated Computer Services.
A top vendor of speed camera and red light camera services told investors that his company represents a great investment opportunity because the cities who use his product cannot resist the steady revenue stream it creates.
News from New Mexico
Gov. Bill Richardson today signed a bill that will require Albuquerque to turn over most of its red-light camera income to the state.
In a news release, Richardson said that he appreciates the fact that city officials were trying to make a compromise, but, “I believe the Legislature spoke loud and clear when it overwhelmingly passed this bill for the second straight year,” he said.
City Councilor Ken Sanchez had suggested a compromise that would have allowed the city to keep more of the money to pay city administrative costs.
Under the Legislature’s bill, the city would only be allowed to keep enough money to pay Redflex, the company that operates the cameras. City officials said that would prevent them from paying for other red-light camera costs such as administrative hearings for ticket appeals.
The remainder of the money would pay for DWI drug court programs and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. See Senate Bill 442