PRESS RELEASES - JUNE 2007

June 12, 2007

Enforcement of Red Light Cameras
Warning Period Ends; Notices of Violations Will Be Issued For Red Light Runners

Starting Tuesday, June 12, motorists who run red light cameras at two intersections in Arlington, Texas will receive violation notices as part of the Safe Stop Arlington initiative. During a 15-day warning period that began May 28, red light runners were given a courtesy warning notice.

Cameras were installed last month at the intersections of west Arbrook Boulevard and Matlock Road and at south Collins Street and Sublett Road. During the first 10 days of the warning period, 215 warning notices were issued to motorists; there is no fine during the warning period. Beginning Tuesday, the registered owner of the vehicle that runs a red light will receive a Notice of Violation that costs $75. The fine is a civil penalty.

“Safe Stop Arlington is a public safety program aimed at motorists who do not stop at red lights,” said Arlington Police Chief Theron Bowman. ”Photo enforcement has been very successful in communities throughout Texas and the rest of the United States in changing the driving behavior of motorists. If drivers slow down and stop for red lights, preventing future accidents, the cameras are going to accomplish their job.”

The cameras operate 24 hours a day and capture still photographs and video of every vehicle that runs a red light at the intersection. A Notice of Violation is sent to the vehicle’s owner. Violators may view a 12-second video clip at www.ViolationInfo.com - provided by the vendor, American Traffic Solutions. Photo enforcement warning signs, alerting drivers to the red light cameras, are installed at the intersections.

Details about the program, including frequently asked questions and how to pay the violation, are posted on the Arlington Police Department’s Web site at www.arlingtonpd.org.

Five more intersections are scheduled to have cameras installed later this year:

• south Cooper Street and west Pioneer Parkway,
• north Watson Road and Road to Six Flags Street,
• south Watson Road and east Park Row Drive,
• south Cooper Street and southwest Green Oaks Boulevard, and
• north Watson Road and east Lamar Boulevard.

The City of Arlington contracts with American Traffic Solutions to provide the red light camera enforcement program. ATS is installing and maintaining all equipment related to this program and process. For more information on ATS, visit www.atsol.com.