The monitored light, located at the intersection of Buddy Riley Boulevard and FM 1774, was chosen as the site for the camera after a study by the city and camera provider American Traffic Solutions (ATS) found that the intersection is the worst in the city when it comes to running red lights.

“We have accidents like every city. The most serious accident is a T-bone collision,” Magnolia Police Chief Domingo Ibarra said, adding that running a red light can result in that type of collision, which are often the most fatal.

Ibarra said most of the violations so far have come from drivers who turn right at the red light.

“Most of them are people not realizing that when you have to make a right turn, you have to come to a complete stop,” he said.

Ibarra also said that although accidents may still occur at intersections with people who stop quickly to avoid running the red light, a rear-ending accident is much less violent than a T-bone collision.

Last June, the city council unanimously passed a motion to approve a contract with ATS to install traffic light photo enforcement at intersections in Magnolia.

After the camera was installed, a one-month warning period went into affect April 2 and will last until May 1. Violators during the period receive warning citations but are not fined.

Former city administrator Ryan Kelley previously stated that the city chose ATS because of the large size of the company and the positive results that other cities have shown that use them.

So far, only the camera at Buddy Riley and FM 1774 has been installed, but Ibarra is looking to add one more in the future at the same intersection.

“It’s at the opposite side, on Melton Street and FM 1488, that was part of the same study,” he said. “It showed we have the highest incident rates in traffic violations.”

Ibarra added that the city couldn’t get the second camera established “because of permit issues through Union Pacific and that was very expensive.”

Judging by the number of violators already and a $75 fine per violation, the city could see substantial revenue from the camera. However, Ibarra said his focus is not on money earned, but on resident’s safety.

Ibarra said once the warning period is over and drivers begin to receive citations, the number of violations will drop dramatically.

“Once people get citations via mail, that’s when you get the decrease,” he said.

The red light camera goes into full effect on May 1.

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