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| Magnolia PD turning red light fines into traffic safety |
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The City of Magnolia’s red light cameras are expected to bring in $241,000 in revenue to the city, according to the 2010-11 budget, an amount that city administrators say likely will not be the final total.
Police Chief Domingo Ibarra explained that contrary to some belief, the revenue earned from the American Traffic Solutions (ATS) red light cameras can only be utilized for two specific uses.
First, the City of Magnolia must give the state 50 percent of the revenue. Once that amount is paid, the Magnolia Police Department (MPD) is able to use the remaining money toward street safety such as stop signs, speed cones, barricades or for driver’s education safety courses or campaigns.
Ibarra said that the revenue was “very restrictive.”
“We (MPD) can’t use it for anything other than helping people be safer in the flow of traffic,” Ibarra said.
The city pays a monthly fee of more than $4,000 to ATS for use of the camera, which is located at Melton Street and FM 1488.
According to Ibarra, a study conducted by ATS showed the intersection of Melton Street and FM 1488 as the worst intersection for traffic violations in Magnolia.
MPD traffic data shows that on average more than 235,000 vehicles travel east on FM 1488 in a month, which equals 7,850 per day. During the Texas Renaissance Festival, which is held every weekend for more than two months in the fall, that amount increases to 26,182 per day.
According to MPD statistics, when the camera was installed in May, 865 citations were issued. In August the number of citations rose to 2,293. The November numbers show a dramatic reduction with 674 citations.
Sensors embedded in the pavement calculate a vehicle’s speed as it approaches the intersection.
Ibarra explained that the camera is activated when cars do not come to a complete stop on the 24-inch stop bar that lies under the pavement at the intersection. If vehicles roll through the light, they are cited.
Drivers are sometimes able to come to a complete stop and barely pass the stop bar. If drivers cited feel as though they did come to a complete stop and the video corroborates their claim, Ibarra said he has no problem issuing a dismissal.
“So long as they stopped before they enter the intersection,” Ibarra said. Comments (6)
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written by Jake Bolton, January 04, 2011
I have always thought the cameras were unfair due to the cameras do not prove who the driver is. The driver is the person responsible for the traffice infraction, not the vehicle. It is not unusual for people to loan their vehicle to someone. It is my belief that the cameras are a get rich plan for the companies that install them. It seems that city councils (not just Magnolia) really do not have enough knowledge to know that they are being scammed.
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written by Logans_run, January 05, 2011
I view that these red light camaras as yet another grab for revenue and a declaration of war against the local citizens. There are numerous studies that indicate they do not contribute to a reduction in accidents. A couple studies indicate that they actually increase accidents because of increased panic stops that result in rear-end accidents. I already spend as little time in downtown Magnolia as possible due to the crap politics, poor shopping choices and cronyism that exists. My shopping dollars already go to either Cypress or Tomball. This decision is just another bad decision by a clueless city government. Thank God I don't actually live within the city limits and don't live in a community that would be annexed.
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Please note how voters in the City of Houston have responded to these cameras.
You may 'expect' to generate revenue, but YOU CANNOT PROVE WHO IS OPERATING THE MOTOR VEHICLE WHEN THE CAMERA TAKES THE PICTURE. This means that the 'fine' (civil infraction) is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. ATS is an out of state private firm (NOT law enforcement) that reviews the 'violation' prior to submission to MPD. The majority of such violations are going ignored and unpaid, and it is likely that the program will see the same predictable end that it did in Houston. Funny how city administrators are not calculating that variable into their projected revenues. Perhaps it is that kind of fuzzy math that has Magnolia in such a budget crisis.
The real kicker is: run as many red lights as you want(as long as you continue to pay the $75 civil penalty. However, if TPD catches you run the same red light it carries a $150 fine, a report to DPS and your insurance company. Neither of the latter can be done if you are caught on camera because they CANNOT PROVE WHO WAS OPERATING THE MOTOR VEHICLE.
So much for regard for public safety as justification for the cameras.
If you are going to whine about needing more officers, perhaps you can consider replacing those cameras.