Red-light scofflaws beware

By Kari Griffin

Baytown Sun

Published June 25, 2008

The lights at Baker and Garth Road were the first.

Signs went up at the intersection in February as a warning to drivers planning to break traffic laws by failing to stop when the light turned red. By March, violators caught on camera were receiving warnings in the mail that would be replaced with citations once the 30-day educational period came to an end.

More than 2,300 citations have been mailed to red-light runners since the cameras went up at Garth and Baker, and construction is currently underway at nine additional Baytown intersections that will soon be equipped with red-light cameras.

By the middle of next month, red-light cameras are expected to be functioning – allowing the warning period to begin at Highway 146 at North Alexander Drive, West Baker Road at Decker Drive, Garth Road at Highway 146, Garth Road at Interstate 10, Garth Road at West Baker Road, West Baker Road at Garth Road, West Baker Road westbound, Business 146 at Wyoming Street and North Alexander Drive at Highway 146.

The City of Baytown has contracted with American Traffic Solutions (ATS), to manage the red-light camera installation and operations. The company has reported that construction and installation of the remaining cameras are ahead of schedule and the warning period is expected to begin on July 13 – more than one week earlier than originally anticipated. All nine locations will come on-line at the same time and the warning period will be effective for 30 calendar days. If the cameras begin operation as planned the warning citations will be replaced with actual citations on August 11.

The red-light camera installations at Garth and Baker Roads will not revert to a warning period but will continue issuing traffic citations to violators. The 30-day warning period will only apply to the nine new cameras.

The cameras were installed by ATS at no cost to the city, and the company collects 55 percent of the $75 fine for each citation, ($100 for drivers who do not pay the fine within 30 days and are required to pay a $25 late-fee). The city is reimbursed for program expenses by the remaining 45 percent and any revenue left over after the ATS fee and city expenses are taken care of is divided between the State of Texas Trauma fund and the city.

As is required by state law, any extra funds received by the city will be used for traffic safety. Operating costs include paying Baytown Police officers to view the tape from each camera to certify violations. There may also be associated legal costs.

About 20 recipients have already requested a hearing where they will fight their citations.

The $75 citations issued are a civil penalty and will not count as a moving violation or be reported to insurance companies.

For additional information, please contact the Baytown City Clerks Office at 281-4206504.

http://baytownsun.com/story.lasso?tool=print&ewcd=c48479f7f882dd52 6/25/2008