City widens scope of dozen traffic cameras Page 1 of 1
by Casey Newton - Jun. 23, 2008 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic
Phoenix' effort to expand the use of traffic cameras is beginning in earnest.
The City Council voted unanimously last week to approve a program that will see more drivers ticketed for making illegal turns and could lead to speed vans being deployed throughout the city.
Phoenix will reprogram the dozen cameras installed on city streets to begin issuing citations to drivers who make illegal turns.
Currently, the cameras only catch red-light runners. Officials have not said when enforcement will begin on illegal turns.
Phoenix will mount a marketing campaign to inform drivers about the changes before they begin, the city said.
Phoenix also plans to send its two speed vans to various parts of the city. Today, the vans are deployed only in school zones.
Under the approved plan, Phoenix will launch a 45-day pilot program to gather data about speeding in other parts of the city.
The vans will capture databut will not issue citations during the pilot program.
No official date has been set for the program's start, though officials plan to complete it before the fall school semester.
Phoenix wants to eventually install more traffic cameras. But the cameras are expensive.
Any expansion of cameras has to pay for itself, said Councilman Greg Stanton, a member of the council's public-safety subcommittee.