5.12.10
Columbus council gives green light to doubling of traffic cameras

* Intersections have not been picked for the 20 additional cameras; a 30-day grace period will precede enforcement.
By: Garth Bishop - www.snponline.com
Twenty more red light cameras are headed to Columbus intersections.

At its May 3 meeting, Columbus City Council approved the expansion of the city's red light camera program.

"This tool has been proven to significantly reduce crashes and prevent injuries," said Councilman Andrew Ginther.

Since installing its existing 20 red light cameras at intersections, the city has seen 76 percent reduction in right angle crashes and a 58 percent reduction in citations at those intersections, said George Speaks, deputy public safety director.

Which intersections will get the new cameras has not yet been determined, though officials have said the intersections will be chosen based on crash data, as was the case for the previously installed cameras.

Officials also have said advance notice will be provided as to which intersections will get cameras, and that enforcement will begin after a 30-day grace period.

The 20 new cameras will be provided by current red light camera provider Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. The item approved by council approved the expenditure of $31,200 from the city's photo red light fund.

The new contract with Redflex also changes the revenue collection rates for the cameras. Now, 68.5 percent of revenue from red light camera tickets goes to Redflex and 31.5 percent goes to the city; once the new contract takes effect, the city will get 62 percent of revenue from tickets generated by existing cameras and 55 percent of revenue generated by new cameras.

The city also is planning to bring in two mobile speed-tracking vehicles to catch speeders in school zones. The mobile vehicles would also have automated license plate readers so every speeder -- not just those the police have time to pull over -- can be ticketed, and so police can keep an eye out for cars registered to people with things like arrest warrants and sex offender status.

Also at its May 3 meeting, council:

* Accepted a $75,000 grant from and authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Joyce Foundation to host the regional coordinator of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns effort; and

* Passed a resolution in recognition of Margaret Sanders, who died April 21. Sanders, the mother of Councilman Hearcel Craig, inspired many in Columbus with her tireless work, said Councilwoman Charleta Tavares.

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