Since the program started in December of last year, 10,495 violations have been mailed to motorists. By month, the number of violations detected were:

December – 2,270

January – 1,759

February – 1,756

March – 1,481

April – 1,556

May – 1,673

“That averages to about 11 (violations) per day at each camera,” Griffith said.

He noted that the decline in the number of violations after the cameras were installed was anticipated as motorists became aware of the program. The decline in the number of violations, Griffith said, was another indication the cameras were doing their job.

Griffith added the most important trend was the decline in the number of accidents at the intersections.

“We’re on a trend to see a decreased number of accidents at these intersections,” Griffith said.

When a violation is caught on camera, it is reviewed by a police sergeant. If the review confirms a violation has occurred, the motorist is sent a violation notice.

A driver receiving a violation notice has the option of paying the fine or requesting an administrative hearing. The outcome of the hearing may also be appealed to municipal court.

To date, there have been 133 administrative hearings and 6 municipal court appeals.

So far, the city has collected $513,864 in fines, while expending $168,293 on the program. Of those expenses, $142,500 reflected the cost of the cameras.

Half of the fines collected go to the state. Under state law, the portion retained by the city has to be used for traffic safety programs or projects.

An additional red light camera location will be added in the next few months, Griffith pointed out. A camera had been planned for West Airport and Eldridge when the first five were activated, but construction at the intersection delayed the work.

After turn lanes were added, the city re-surveyed the intersection to see if a camera was still needed. Griffith said the survey found the number of violations at that location are still a concern.

“It’s a continuing problem, so we’re moving forward with placing cameras at this location,” Griffith said.

The cameras will be placed on the east and westbound lanes of Airport.

Griffith told the council that state law requires the city to compile a comprehensive report at the end of a full year of operation. A citizen committee will need to be appointed by the city council to review that report and make recommendations to the council on whether the red light cameras will be continued, expanded or changed.

Another change the council will be considering is the use of “registration holds” for motorists who have not responded to violation notices. A registration hold prevents a vehicle from getting a registration renewal sticker until the violation is addressed.

A separate ordinance will need to gain council approval for registration holds to be used.

Griffith said the collection rate on violation notices is currently around 65 percent, but he expects that to increase significantly with the use of registration holds. He said that other communities have found collection rates increase to over 95 percent by using registration holds.

Councilman Russell Jones said he has received a number of concerns about the cameras, particularly from residents of the Sugar Lake subdivision. He suggested the council make certain representatives from the neighborhood are included on the citizen review committee.

“People who live in Sugar Lakes feel picked on because we have a camera right at the entrance to their subdivision,” Jones said. “We need to be sensitive to that and have some residents of Sugar Lakes on that committee.”

© fortbendnow.com 2008