TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Tempe issued more than 26,000 citations in the first six months of its photo enforcement program, according to city data.
The city’s red light and speed camera program went live a year ago. The program includes cameras at 14 intersections, with two mobile units that move every two weeks.
Of the citations issued between June and November, 42% were dismissed. The city said dismissals could mean Tempe was not able to make contact with the driver or a judge later threw out the ticket. Another 30% of drivers chose to attend defensive driving school and 24% admitted guilt.
Collision data shows decline
Lt. Greg Bacon with Tempe’s Traffic Enforcement Unit said collisions have decreased at monitored intersections.
“Our rear end collisions at those intersections are down. Our overall collisions are down at those 14 intersections, and we have not had a fatality at an intersection where we have photo enforcement,” Bacon said.
Bacon said the goal is to see a decline in citations issued. He said the city has seen some progress but it is not there yet.
Bacon said the program is not about generating revenue for the city.
Driver reactions mixed
Josef Johnson said he received a citation after following another vehicle through an intersection.
“The person in front of me was taking too long of a time and I was kinda behind them and then they finally decided to go and I was behind them. So I went with them and got flashed and they didn’t,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he took an online defensive driving class but did not learn anything from it. He said he does slow down at the intersection now.
James Henderson said the cameras are needed.
“A lot of people complain because they feel that the cameras are watching them and it’s evading their privacy, but really it’s saving lives,” Henderson said.
Phoenix program issues 7,900 citations
Phoenix recently launched speed cameras. The city said it issued 7,900 citations between March 25 and May 4.
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