The Daily Reflector 269 words 12 February 2004 Cox News Service English Copyright 2004 Cox News Service, All Rights Reserved.
The Greenville City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on installation of cameras to catch red-light violators.
City staff recommends that Redflex Traffic Systems be awarded the contract. The firm would install the equipment at a minimum of 10 intersections and pocket $32 out of every $50 citation issued to violators photographed running a red light.
Redflex would keep $47 of every citation if less than seven citations per day per camera are generated.
Councilman Ric Miller said he wants to have more discussion on the matter before hiring the contractor. He cited concerns that the cameras could increase the incidence of rear-end collisions at intersections as people stop short for yellow lights to avoid the camera's eye.
He also questioned the amount of revenue the city would receive from each citation.
Some council members were concerned by Chapel Hill's recent removal of such cameras. But Tom Tysinger, director of public works for Greenville, said that move was made out of dissatisfaction with that city's contractor, not because of safety reasons.
Councilman Ray Craft said he is prepared to support hiring Redflex.
"Too many times I've sat at red lights, and cars go through," he said.
His colleague on the board, Chip Little, agreed.
"If that's what we have to do to make our intersections safer, then that's what we're charged to do."
The council meets at 7 p.m. in council chambers, third floor of City Hall, 201 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
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