Red Light Cameras Come to Cary

[Brent]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2004

RED LIGHT CAMERAS BEGIN CLICKING IN CARY ON SATURDAY

CARY, NC – Red light cameras get turned on in Cary on Saturday at the first of 16 intersections slated to get the new enforcement tools over the next three months. The move to add photo enforcement is designed to reduce accidents, help keep traffic flowing well by not allowing intersections to be blocked, and economically and efficiently expand police’s ability to enforce traffic safety laws 24/7. Cary’s first SafeLight intersection is Cary Towne Boulevard at Convention Drive/Principal Lane.

“The SafeLight Cary program is in keeping with our designation as American’s 5th Safest City and as North Carolina’s Technology Town,” said Town of Cary Police Chief WJ Hunter. “We’re very optimistic that this public safety program will be of great benefit to our community.”

Cary was one of several municipalities that received permission from the General Assembly in 2001 to create red light camera programs. Based on that Legislative authority (SB 243), red light camera citations carry a $50 fine with an additional $50 penalty if the fine is not paid when due. However, no driver's license or insurance points are assessed.

“SafeLight Cary really focuses on safety, not on generating revenues,” said Hunter. “Any profits go to Wake County Public Schools.”

Provided by Redflex of Australia, Cary’s system uses the most advanced, digital technology to ensure the highest level of accuracy. Even so, some vehicle owners may not be at fault if, for example, another person is driving the vehicle. That’s why Cary has established a kinder, gentler red light program. First, only warning notices will be issued for the first 15 days of SafeLight Cary. Second, Cary is mounting a strong public education program to make sure folks traveling in and through Cary are aware of SafeLight Cary. Third, Cary has hired a retired police major to review all images before citations are issued. Fourth, Cary’s notification forms are polite and friendly. Fifth, Redflex has established an office down the street from Town Hall where folks can pay their tickets or discuss their citation with a live person. And finally, every person has the right to an appeal.

“We’ve learned a lot from other jurisdictions with red light cameras, and our goal is to have the best program in the state,” said Hunter.

For more about SafeLight Cary, including how Cary’s system works and what other intersections will get cameras, visit SAFELIGHT CARY at www.townofcary.org


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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Chief Windy Hunter, Cary Police, (919) 469-4023
Deputy Chief Pat Bazemore, Cary Police, (919) 460-4919
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, (919) 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951

[johnb]

I wonder if tickets will be written to the drivers of munincipal vehicles when those drivers violate the law?

Betcha Windy Hunter and Bill Coleman will never allow that data to go public! LOL

[johnb]

You need a new option on your poll:

A Revenue thing.

[Laurie]

From a story in the Cary News http://www.carynews.com/front/story/973682p-6928446c.html

"...the town will not earn a cent of profit from the tickets.

Most of the money will go to Redflex, Mills said.

The ticket money will be distributed according to a two-tier system, she said. Redflex will get $49.50 of each fine for the first 120 tickets issued by each camera each month, with only 50 cents going to the town. For the 121st ticket per camera per month — and for every ticket after that — $30 will go to Redflex and $20 to the town.

Redflex will make a profit, Mills said. But the company will also cover all of the costs of installing and maintaining the cameras.

The town, on the other hand, will use its cut of the proceeds to pay Hudson and to cover other administrative costs for the system. Any money the town makes in excess of those costs will be given to the Wake County Public School System, Mills said."

[Wuptdo]

Great - the WCPSS gets the leftover money. That means all us Charter School folks, plus the home-skool parents won't get a cent (unless we sue them - again!) The idea of McNeal & his cronies getting more Cary money just sickens me. :evil:

After viewing the list of where these lights are going, I find they ignored a very large source of possible revenue. Weston Pkwy & Evans Road (any direction. Around here, we refer to Weston Parkway as the Weston International Raceway. 8-O

Wuptdo B-)

[johnb]

It's curious that the city couldn't get a better deal....

...unless...the purpose of the deal was to benefit some entity other than the city of course....the folks running or owning this firm aren't area residents are they?

[Don]

Unless in some sick, twisted scheme - the city devised a way to increase the public's safety without raising your taxes? 8-O 8-O :wink:

[johnb]

If it is a public safety thing then they'll ticket city vehicles instead of treating it as a "personel matter" which the law does not allow.

Betcha a cup of coffee they will NOT allow citations to be written to drivers of munincipal vehicles Don.