Traffic light camera programs are coming under fire just months after Baton Rouge implemented its own system. A controversial report released by the Florida Public Health Review this past month suggests the cameras are money-making tools that affect public safety. Ingolf Partenheimer, chief traffic engineer for Baton Rouge, said the main goal of the local program is to reduce traffic accidents. “The city-parish has made it public from day one that for us: It is a safety program and not a revenue stream,” said Partenheimer. The first offense fine for running a red light is $117. The fine for each subsequent violation is $167. About 1,221 violations have been observed by the cameras, with more than 200 in queue for review, said Partenheimer. Irma Plummer, assistant chief administrator with the mayor’s office, said 49 of those tickets have been paid. Plummer said the company maintaining the camera service, American Traffic System, receives 35 percent of fines paid on time and 45 percent of late fines. Violators have 60 days to pay the fine. After 60 days, violators are assessed a $35 late fee. If the fee is not paid within 120 days, the late fee becomes $70. Based on these numbers, the city will probably receive around $93,000 in fines for violations since the cameras were installed in late February. This estimate does not account for contested tickets. Traffic light cameras are located at the following intersections: Sherwood Forest and Coursey boulevards, Essen Lane at the I-10 eastbound off-ramp, College Drive at the I-10 eastbound off-ramp, Airline Highway at Old Hammond Highway and La. 19 at Blount Road. Observations at these locations have shown the motoring public is now more likely to stop for the signals, Partenheimer said. Partenheimer said traffic engineers will review intersection accident rates at the end of every month to determine if the program is preventing accidents. “Again, this is to determine how well the program is working and is based on accident history versus present accidents and not by the amount of funds processed.” Partenheimer said. The cameras will be removed if crash rates have not decreased, he said. Corrin Johnson, mechanical engineering sophomore, said he feels the cameras are not used to protect drivers but to make money. But Johnson said he is in favor of the program if it prevents deaths. Johnson said the cameras should be taken down if the traffic engineers find the dangerous crashes have not decreased. The FPHR report opposes traffic light cameras and concluded they may increase crashes and injuries. The report cited the National Motorists Association, which wants local governments to implement other measures to reduce red light running, including lengthening yellow light timings, improving visibility and shortening long red lights. Partenheimer said traffic engineers addressed all of the suggestions, except for one pertaining to pedestrian crosswalks. He said none of the intersections have crosswalks. The report said some jurisdictions are accused of shortening yellow light timings to gain more revenue from red light runners. Partenheimer said at the time of installation, all yellow light timings were found to be correct or were lengthened slightly. Brian Wolshen, civil engineering professor on sabbatical at the Sandia National Laboratory, N.M., said traffic light cameras generally decrease the types of accidents that are statistically more dangerous and fatal. He said cameras deter drivers from running lights and decrease angle and head-on accidents. But the likelihood of rear-end collisions increases when drivers stop abruptly for red lights, Wolshen said. Wolshen said he is a proponent of the program because it decreases deadly crashes. “It’s a huge safety problem,” Wolshen said. “The only way to get people to change their attitudes is through more effective enforcement.” Brittany Hoffstadt, theater and dance senior, was ticketed by a camera for running a red light in Metarie this past month. Hoffstadt said the light was yellow when she reached the intersection and turned red as she went under it. “The cops would have never noticed,” Hoffstadt said. “That’s what’s not fair about it to me because it’s like cheating – cops don’t have to do their jobs because the cameras can do it for them.” Hoffstadt said she did not do anything wrong. She said the cameras might help teach dangerous drivers a lesson, but it is not fair that safe drivers must suffer. Martha Ann, Capital Area Transit System driver, said she wants traffic light cameras around campus. “They need them everywhere,” Ann said. She said red-light running is a problem on her route. Josh Williams, mechanical engineering junior, said barely running a red light does not cause fatal crashes. But he said the cameras would not deter drivers who completely disregard red lights.
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