CURRENT NEWS - 2009 - 2010 - 2011 NEWS ARCHIVES
News
The latest headlines from the world of photo enforcement. Updated almost daily...
Houston, Texas Settles Red Light Camera Lawsuit
Jan. 24, 2012 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
The city of Houston, Texas announced Friday that it would pay American Traffic Solutions (ATS) $4.8 million to settle the lawsuit the company set up after voters rejected red light cameras in November 2010. Upon approval by the city council Wednesday, the Arizona firm will receive $2.3 million up front with another $2.4 million provided as the company collects on unpaid citations over the next three years.
Washington: Judge Slaps Attempt to Block Anti-Camera Vote
Jan. 23, 2012 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
The Snohomish County Superior Court on Thursday found Monroe, Washington liable for a fine of up to $10,000 for denying photo enforcement opponents access to the ballot. Although two-thirds of voters in the city voted against the use of red light cameras and speed cameras in November, they were only allowed to consider a measure crafted by Mayor Robert Zimmerman. He asked voters whether they wanted to continue using cameras when the vendor's contract expires in 2013.
Montgomery rejects red light cameras
Jan. 19, 2012 Your Houston News - ArticleExcerpt:
Following months of review and consideration of a red light camera system, the Montgomery City Council rejected the program by a 4-1 vote Tuesday night.
Councilman John Champagne voted for the motion, but Councilmen Jon Bickford, Kirk Jones, Joe Shockley and Joel Gordon opposed use of the red light camera equipment.
States seek to change ticket camera rules
Jan. 19, 2012 Land Line Magazine - ArticleExcerpt:
As lawmakers head to work at state capitols throughout the country ,the use of automated cameras to ticket drivers for speeding or running red lights is once again expected to be a much-debated topic.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 21 states have laws permitting at least one type of automated enforcement. Conversely, 10 states have acted to prohibit use of the enforcement tool.
Group says police emails show radar just a cash grab
Jan. 17, 2012 Winnipeg Free Press - ArticleExcerpt:
FOR those against photo radar, the police emails are the smoking gun to show it's all about the cash and zero about public safety.
Colo. lawmakers weigh ban of traffic enforcement cameras as effectiveness questioned
Jan. 13, 2012 TheRepublic.com - ArticleExcerpt:
DENVER — Republican lawmakers want to ban red-light and speeding cameras in Colorado, saying municipalities are using them as revenue boosters that do little for traffic safety.
Vandal Torches City Speed Camera
Jan. 13, 2012 WBALtv.com - ArticleExcerpt:
BALTIMORE -- Police are searching for a vandal who set a speed camera on fire Friday morning.
Authorities with the Baltimore Police Department said it happened at around 7:15 a.m. near the intersection of North Howard Street and Park Avenue near Bolton Hill.
Although officials would not comment on how the fire was set, a police spokeswoman said it appeared to have been intentionally set.
Red Light Cameras Ticketing Drivers Who Stop at Lights
Jan. 12, 2012 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
Cities around the country have begun dropping the use of red light cameras,which were once touted as the best way to stop drivers from "blowing through" red lights. Disappointed municipal officials invariably point to the systems' failure to generate the promised amount of revenue as the reason for the change. To keep from losing more clients, the red light camera industry's latest move has been to ticket drivers who stop at red lights to boost the number of potential violations.
Washington: Statewide Initiative Could Outlaw Traffic Cameras
Jan. 11, 2012 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
Red light cameras and speed cameras could disappear from Washington state if initiative guru Tim Eyman decides to bring the issue to voters. Eyman is known for his ability to place anti-tax measures on the statewide ballot that, more often than not, win public support. This year, one option on Eyman's plate is the statewide expansion of his successful city-by-city anti-camera votes.
Washington: Man Sues After Traffic Cam Ruined Credit Rating
Jan. 10, 2012 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
A Tacoma, Washington police lieutenant filed a lawsuit against the city of Fife on December 23 after an undelivered red light camera ruined his credit rating. On New Year's Day in 2009, a red light camera belonging to Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia photographed Anthony J. Abuan's car as it made a right-hand turn on a red light at the intersection of 54th Avenue and 20th Street.
"The driver of the plaintiff's vehicle was not stopped by any law enforcement official on January 1, 2009, and the driver was not then aware that a traffic infraction had allegedly occurred," Abuan's attorney, Joseph M. Diaz, wrote in the complaint against Fife.
Victorville faces potential lawsuit over automated red-light ticketing cameras
Jan. 9, 2012 SPCR.org - ArticleExcerpt:
The city of Victorville faces a potential $9 million class action lawsuit unless it changes the way it uses red-light cameras. The people who want to sue also targeted the company that installed the camera system.
New Mexico: Report Finds No Proven Red Light Camera Benefit
Jan. 9, 2012 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
The city of Las Cruces, New Mexico commissioned a local university last year to come up with a report justifying the use of red light cameras in the community. After examining city-supplied data New Mexico State University (NMSU) researchers stretched to find something positive to say in a study released Tuesday.
Overall, the study found a decrease in accidents at two camera intersections, an increase at one and no change at the fourth. This compares to the control intersections where there were three decreases, two increases and one without any change. None of these changes, however, were large enough to carry definitive scientific weight. The researchers focused on the single intersection with the most positive result.
Fatal crashes in Northamptonshire fall to a new record low [after speed cameras turned off]
Jan. 5, 2012 Northampton Chronicle & Echo - ArticleExcerpt:
NEW figures have revealed the number of deaths on Northamptonshire’s roads has fallen to a record low, prompting council chiefs to claim the decision to switch-off speed cameras across the county was correct.
However, leader of Northamptonshire County Council Jim Harker (Con, Kettering Rural) said the figures, which were down by 21 per cent on the previous year, proved safety cameras were not saving lives.
Washington Appeals Court Denies Right to Challenge Traffic Tickets
Jan. 3, 2012 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
Washington state's second-highest court ended the year denying the right of motorists to challenge an unfair or unlawful ruling from a superior court judge. The Court of Appeals declared last Tuesday that it would not hear any appeals for infractions -- not even from city governments.
Naperville to shut down red-light cameras
Jan. 2, 2012 DailyHerald.com - ArticleExcerpt:
Motorists in Naperville will face a little less scrutiny beginning Tuesday as the city officially pulls the plug on its three red-light cameras.