Reporter Dave Dunn of WDAF-TVFOX4 did a story (4/11) about red light cameras that are coming to Kansas City. Unfortunately, he failed to note a story here (4/7 below) that said how Dallas is yanking many of its red light cameras because they proved to be too costly. Once again, KCMO is saying the issue is "safety," but will change its tune if the expensive cameras reduce ticket revenue. 04-12-2008
Red Light Cameras Work, But Can Put City In The Red WDAF-FOX 4 (4/11/08) --- Red light cameras could be up and running in Kansas City by this fall. The City Council has given the green light to the cameras and is expected to get installation bids in the next few weeks. They approved a plan for around 50 of the cameras, aimed to stop red light runners, in August of 2006. One reason for the delay in putting them up is the cost. Some cities that have red light cameras are finding they're not generating enough green to cover the expense, but in Sugar Creek they said it's not about money. In Sugar Creek, at the intersection of 291 and Courtney Road, there's an extra set of eyes that capture red-light runners in the act. While some drivers call the cameras unfair and an invasion of privacy, others say they make the intersection safer. "My goal of putting it in was to reduce the number of folks running the red light and it's absolutely succeeded there," Chief Herb Soule said. Chief Soule said when the cameras first went in, they averaged 150 tickets a month. Now, a year and a half later, it's down to around 40. People quickly get tired of paying 85 bucks a pop. That means instead of earning the city some green, the cameras are putting the city in the red. "My government is willing to back me on it to the tune of spending some money," Chief Soule said. The chief said there's only one way to look at it: no price can be put on a human life and if the cameras can save one, they're worth it. While many cities see red light cameras as a money-generator, Kansas City Public Works officials said that's not the goal here, but that safety is. The City Council set forth very strict guidelines to ensure the city doesn't lose money on the deal and they accomplish the intended goal. Dave Dunn, FOX 4 News
It is always interesing how new programs like red light cameras at intersections are introduced as simply a way to help reduce accidents and make driving safer for citizens. In fact, proponents always stress the cameras are not being installed as money makers, but really for the good of the population. But now the Dallas Morning News is reporting that the city of Dallas is going to cut back on its red light program because the tickets given to drivers weren't raising enough money. Instead of the $14.8 million in revenue the lights were supposed to bring in the figure is closer to $6 million. 04-07-2008 Dallas' red light cameras may face changes as revenue estimate drops Dallas' system works too well, eating into revenues, fueling possible changes
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News Dallas City Hall has idled more than one-fourth of the 62 cameras that monitor busy intersections because many of them are failing to generate enough red-light-running fines to justify their operational costs, according to city documents. Initial gross revenue estimates for the red light camera system during Dallas' 2007-08 fiscal year were $14.8 million, according to city records. The latest estimate? About $6.2 million. City Manager Mary Suhm on Friday estimated net revenue will fall $4.1 million under initial estimates. That leaves Dallas government with a conundrum. Its red-light camera system has been an effective deterrent to motorists running red lights – some monitored intersections have experienced a more than 50 percent reduction. But decreased revenue from red light-running violations means significantly less revenue to maintain the camera program and otherwise fuel the city's general fund. Exacerbating the drain is a new state law requiring that municipalities send half of their net red-light-running camera revenue to Austin and post signs alerting drivers of upcoming camera installations. Also, city records indicate Dallas has lengthened yellow-light intervals on 12 of its 62 monitored traffic signals, giving motorists more time to beat a red light. City transportation officials say they're brainstorming potential changes to the red-light camera program, which is financed by the general fund, before a planned update to the City Council next month on the program's status. "We did not anticipate having such success so early with the number of people not running red lights," said Zaida Basora, Dallas' assistant director of public works and transportation. "If you have success in safety, you don't have a lot of success in revenue. The other side is the people will go back to what they were doing before without the cameras." LINK TO REST OF ARTICE: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-redlights_15met.ART.North.Edition1.468120d.html
