4 cameras snap red-light runners Page 1 of 1
Apr. 26, 2008 07:38 AM
Question: How do photo red-light cameras operate? I have heard that only one direction is monitored and that the direction is designated by a white strip that does not go all the way across the intersection. Is there any truth to that? I can't speak for all red-light cameras everywhere. However, I will gladly tell you about the one we have in Glendale.
It is located at the intersection of 59th and Peoria avenues and it monitors the three northbound lanes.
So, in our case, you're right. Only one direction is being monitored.
There are a couple of cameras mounted on poles at the intersection and there are sensors beneath the road surface of the three lanes. There is also a white line across the three lanes, marking the "lateral prolongation of the curb line," which defines the boundary of the intersection. When the sensors detect a vehicle running the light, they tell the cameras to snap four pictures.
The first photo shows the vehicle still behind the white line and the light showing red. The second photo shows the vehicle past the line and the light showing red. The third photo is of the license plate, so we can mail the violator a ticket. The fourth photo is of the driver.
We also have access to a streaming video clip of the entire event, which we can produce in court if we have to.
As you can see, this all adds up to some faily compelling photographic evidence that a violator did, in fact, run the red light.
We tested the system for one month in October 2007. The system went "live" on Nov. 1. So far, we have issued over 500 citations. Only one case has gone to court so far, and we won.
I would like to add that none of this information is a secret of any kind. We aren't trying to "trap" or "trick" anyone. The cameras are not hidden in any way. In fact, there are signs that warn drivers of the photo red-light enforcement. All we really want is for people to stop running the red light.
Sgt. Jim Toomey is public information officer for the Glendale Police Department. Email questions to Ask_a_cop@glendaleaz.com