1	City of Duncanville Red Light Camera System Public Information Presentation February 2009
2	Red Light Camera Systems Why do we need them? How do they work?
3	What the Statistics Show Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans 1-34 years old. In 2007, 41,059 people died on our Nation’s roads. 24,147 road departure fatalities (59%) 8,657 intersection fatalities (21%) 4,654 pedestrian fatalities (11%) Source: Federal Highway Administration
4	What the Statistics Show The total societal cost of crashes exceeds $230 billion annually. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
5	Red Light Running Facts One of the major causes of crashes, deaths, and injuries at signalized intersections. On average, crashes caused by motorists running red lights are more deadly and damaging than other types of crashes at signalized intersections. Source: Federal Highway Administration
6	Red Light Running Facts People are more likely to be injured in red light running crashes. Occupant injuries occurred in 45% of red light running crashes, compared to 30% for other crash types. Source: California Center for Innovative Transportation at the University of California at Berkeley and Caltrans
7	2003 Red Light Statistics 206,000 red lighting running crashes nationwide. 934 fatalities. 176,000 injuries. Estimated $14 billion dollars in property damage, medical bills, lost productivity, and insurance hikes annually. Source: Federal Highway Administration
8	Local Action More and more cities are installing red-light cameras. Baltimore, MD was one of the country’s first red light camera programs (1999). Red light violators in Australia and Europe have been captured on camera since the 1970s.
9	Red Light Cameras - Pros Red light cameras are believed to be an effective countermeasure to reduce red light running. Source: Federal Highway Administration Believed to be safer method of monitoring red light violations – eliminates need for police officer to follow violator through the red light. Source: California Center for Innovative Transportation at the University of California at Berkeley and Caltrans
10	Red Light Cameras - Pros Evidence suggests that red light cameras improve overall intersection safety. Evidence of “spillover” effect – also improves safety of nearby intersections. Source: California Center for Innovative Transportation at the University of California at Berkeley and Caltrans
11	Red Light Cameras - Cons Number of (less serious) rear-end crashes rises in some cases. Source: California Center for Innovative Transportation at the University of California at Berkeley and Caltrans
12	Duncanville Red Light Camera System 8 camera systems 4 intersections: Cockrell Hill Road / US Highway 67 Danieldale Road / US Highway 67 Wheatland Road / Cockrell Hill Road Wheatland Road / Cedar Ridge Drive
13	How Red Light Cameras Work Red light cameras are connected to sensors in the pavement. When the signal turns red, the system becomes active.
14	How Red Light Cameras Work Once the system is activated by a red light, if a vehicle crosses the sensors at a rate of 13-15 mph or more, photos and video footage are captured.
15	How Red Light Cameras Work Still photos are taken by (3) high resolution digital cameras: 1 photo prior to violation 1 photo after violation 1 photo of license plate
16	How Red Light Cameras Work Approximately 12 seconds of video footage is taken by (1) high resolution video camera: 6 seconds before the violation 6 seconds after the violation
17	How Red Light Cameras Work The cameras do not photograph every vehicle – only vehicles that activate the sensors after the light has turned red. Vehicles already in the intersection when the light turns red are not photographed.
18	The Citation Process Photographs are initially screened by Redflex. Next, the photographs are reviewed by a Duncanville police officer for violation confirmation. The Notice of Violation is approved by a Duncanville police officer. Notice of Violations are then mailed by Redflex.
19	If you receive a Notice of Violation… View the alleged violation on the Internet. If you agree that a violation occurred, mail $75.00 payment. Civil penalty – does not impact Texas driver’s record or insurance rates.
20	If you receive a Notice of Violation… If you disagree, you have the right to a hearing to contest the Notice of Violation. Hearings are conducted by an Administrative Hearing Officer at City Hall by appointment.
21	Hearing Process The Administrative Hearing Officer will review the violation video with you and determine if the violation should be upheld.
22	Hearing Process The decision of the Administrative Hearing Officer may be appealed to the Municipal Court.
23	How to Avoid a Red Light Camera Citation Allow plenty of time to get to your destination so you don’t feel pressured to speed or disobey traffic signals. Be alert and attentive to the motorists and pedestrians around you. Drive carefully through intersections.
24	How to Avoid a Red Light Camera Citation Before making a left turn at an intersection, make sure it is safe to do so. More than 1/3 of all deaths to vehicle occupants occur in side impact crashes - most at intersections.
25	How to Avoid a Red Light Camera Citation Before turning right on red, make a complete stop prior to the stop bar. After making a complete stop prior to the stop bar, move forward as needed to insure the intersection is clear of oncoming traffic before turning.
26	Clearing Up Common Misconceptions The camera flashed while I was passing through the intersection. Will I get a ticket? Just because the camera flashes, does not mean you will receive a Notice of Violation. You should only receive a Notice of Violation if a violation occurred.
27	Clearing Up Common Misconceptions Since the installation of the red light camera system, it turns red faster than normal. The length of yellow signals has not been decreased at any intersections as an attempt to issue more red light camera citations.
28	Clearing Up Common Misconceptions The City is getting rich at the expense of its taxpayers. 50% of the net revenue received from red light camera citations must be submitted to the State. The revenue retained by the City must be spent for traffic and street improvements.
29	Clearing Up Common Misconceptions The City is getting rich at the expense of its taxpayers. (cont.) Only 13.5% of the Notices of Violations issued July-December 2008 were issued to Duncanville residents. 86.5% of the Notices of Violation were issued to non-residents.
30	Ultimate Goals Improve roadway safety. Improve driver behavior. Reduce crashes. Reduce fatalities and injuries. Reduce personal financial losses due to crashes.