info on texas, page-8

re: cameras taking off in us As more and more councils are seeing the success of red-light cameras the contracts are just going to keep rolling in. I am looking forward to the days when the same happens for speed cameras.

This is not a done deal, I only posted it as it outlines how Redflex current installations is opening doors for them.

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Sylvania Township: Installing red-light cameras urged


Sylvania Township is considering red light cameras, like the ones installed in Toledo.
( THE BLADE )


By MARY STEGMEIR
BLADE STAFF WRITER


Cameras capturing red light or speed violations in Sylvania Township would deliver an unwelcome message to unsafe motorists if installed - pay attention and pay up.
Police chief Joseph Valvano asked the board of trustees last week to consider installing red-light, speed cameras at busy intersections, similar to those in Toledo. The cameras would be used to issue tickets to traffic law violators. Chief Valvano hopes the tickets, expected to run around $100 each, will remind drivers to heed the rules of the road.

The registered owner of any car videotaped running a red-light or speeding through an intersection will be mailed a still photo of the violation. The picture will include the date, time, and location of the incident. Tickets issued using the cameras will not be included in a motorist's driving record.

Chief Valvano said he doesn't know how many cameras would be installed or at which intersections they would be located.

"Once we evaluate our traffic accidents and volume we will determine where we need cameras," he said.

According to Ohio Department of Public Safety statistics 1,170 crashes occurred in the township last year, with 426 people sustaining injuries. One person died.

If the township approves the proposal, Chief Valvano suspects that many of the cameras will be placed along Central Avenue. Forty percent of traffic accidents in the township occur along the state route and the chief believes the cameras would encourage safer driving habits among motorists who frequent the avenue.

Monroe Street, Holland-Sylvania Road, and McCord Road are also heavily traveled and may benefit from cameras, he said.

"We're looking to put the cameras in high-enforcement areas," Chief Valvano said.

The township is considering using the same company, Redflex Traffic Systems, that oversees Toledo's red-light/speed camera program.

Joe Moore, a Redflex operations representative, presented the board of trustees with information about the cameras.

"With the success we've had in Toledo I think we can be of service," he said. "But it's up to the township."

Toledo has 21 red-light cameras at 13 intersections, and this year expanded the use of the cameras to ticket speeders in school zones. The City Council recently OK'd using all the cameras to catch speeders as a part of an effort to overcome a $2 million budget shortfall this year.

Lt. Kevin Keel of the Toledo police traffic section said in erly February that about 36,000 red-light camera citations have been issued since the city began the enforcement effort in 2001.

Chief Valvano said the camera program would come at a minimal cost to the township.

Redflex would be paid with a cut from the ticket revenue. The only expense to the township would be hiring an appeals officer to hear complaints from ticketed violators at a two-hour session each month.

If approved, the red-light/speed camera program will be implemented in two phases.

First, the township will install cameras at busy intersections. After evaluating the effectiveness of the cameras, the police department may consider renting a van equipped with similar cameras. The van would allow officers to park near busy streets and take pictures of speeding cars. Violators would be issued their tickets by mail.

Board Chairman Dennis Boyle said the trustees must hold two public meetings before the ordinance can be voted on. If the ordinance passes, cameras could appear at township intersections as soon as six months.