Violations of Trust
It's very shocking when you realize that some districts have approved and installed photo enforcement equipment without provisions for regular monitoring and oversight by a government entity. Our officials have placed full and complete trust in camera vendors to regularly maintain and calibrate their equipment as well as voluntarily cancelling citations issued while equipment was malfunctioning. We also trust that their employees are properly trained and know what they are doing, despite evidence that suggests that they don't exactly hire the best talent available. They have financial incentive to neglect their equipment, hire unqualified people, and falsify records with no pre-established consequences. Many districts are so addicted to the cash flow that they can and will overlook such violations. We've uncovered several stories below that demonstrate that these companies, along with elected officials are not to be trusted, but nothing every happens. Do you trust these people?
Articles
Colorado, Italy: Speed Camera Operators Caught Disregarding Law
Mar. 6, 2010 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
The private company that operates speed cameras in Denver, Colorado is ignoring the provisions of state law designed to protect the public.
Similar tactics are used in the city of Fort Collins, where a speed camera van was hidden behind a bridge abutment on Tuesday. The warning sign was placed on the ground, partially obscured by a planter, the Coloradoan newspaper reported.
In Genoa, Italy a local judge has ruled that average speed cameras are illegal.
Cities Shortening Yellow Traffic Lights for Deadly Profit
Feb. 23, 2010 AlterNET - ArticleExcerpt:
"While several cities have been caught shortening yellow lights to increase revenue from red-light tickets," said Biller, "I think the larger issue today is that the duration of so many yellow lights has never been adequately set for optimal safety results. An increase of approximately one second can reduce the frequency of red-light-running by at least 50 percent."
Florida Court Rules Red Light Cameras Illegal
Feb. 23, 2010 The Newspaper - ArticleExcerpt:
A Miami-Dade County Circuit Court judge has ruled that red light cameras may not be legally used to issue traffic citations in the state of Florida. Judge Gerald Bagley yesterday dismissed charges against motorist Richard Masone who had received a red light camera ticket in the mail from American Traffic Solutions (ATS). The company operates the program on behalf of the city of Aventura.
Lobbying intensifies in red light camera fight
Feb. 21, 2010 Daily Herald - ArticleExcerpt:
As the backlash against red-light cameras continues to mount, companies that profit from those $100 tickets have hired new ranks of lobbyists to convince state lawmakers to back off reform and repeal efforts.
Feds looking into Jefferson Parish traffic cameras
Feb. 20, 2010 Fox8Live.com - ArticleExcerpt:
A source tells Fox 8 News that federal investigators are looking into the red light camera program in Jefferson Parish and Interim Parish President Steve Theriot confirms the feds do have the documents.
Follow Up...
Questions answered about JP red light program
Feb. 23, 2010 Fox8Live.com - ArticleExcerpt:
Jefferson Parish President Steve Theriot says he's started getting answers about the red light camera program.
Theriot asked Redflex Traffic Systems two weeks ago for information on who would get money from the contract.
He finally got that information today.
Speed camera crusader John King granted Sherriffs warrant to seize police property, wants Simon Overland's desk
Feb. 18, 2010 Herald Sun - ArticleExcerpt:
AN ANTI-speed camera crusader has obtained a sheriffs warrant against Victoria Police because the force has failed to pay the court-ordered costs to him.
And he says he might just have to sell Chief Commissioner Simon Overland's desk to meet his costs.
John King was granted a warrant by the Heidelberg Magistrates' Court to seize police property after waiting nearly eight months for the force to comply with the $522 costs order.
Investigators: Red-light cameras may issue illegal tickets
Feb. 10, 2010 King 5 News - ArticleExcerpt:
Traffic judges have declared the camera set-up illegal at a busy intersection near the University of Washington and they've tossed tickets out, but the city is still ticketing unsuspecting motorists.
Red Light Camera Ticketing Company's No-Pay Threat Illegal
Jan. 9, 2010 The Ledger - ArticleExcerpt:
The red-light camera company contracted by Lakeland has been telling ticketed drivers a hold can be placed on their vehicle registration if they fail to pay their fine.
But a city spokesman said that isn't part of the city's agreement with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions.
But city spokesman Kevin Cook said the company's customer service employees misspoke, and Florida law doesn't allow that to happen.
Arizona Legislative Memo: Traffic Camera Companies Need PI Licenses
Nov. 24, 2009 The Newspaper - ArticleExcerpt:
Traffic camera companies operating in Arizona may be committing a crime by operating without a private investigator's license, a newly released memorandum to the state legislature explained. The non-partisan Arizona Legislative Council, the legislature's official source for drafting and reviewing legislation, looked at the licensing question on behalf of state Representative Sam Crump (R-Anthem).
Do Cameras Make Intersections More Dangerous?
Nov. 9, 2009 CBS2.com - ArticleExcerpt:
In Los Angeles the LAPD claims accidents are down after they installed cameras, but are they telling the whole truth or just trying to make money off motorists?
We looked at every accident at every red light camera intersection for six months of data before the cameras were installed and six months after.
The final figures? Twenty of the 32 intersections show accidents up after the cameras were installed! Three remained the same and only nine intersections showed accidents decreasing.
Redflex Photo Van Caught Violating State Law
Oct. 10, 2009 CameraFraud.com - ArticleExcerpt:
CameraFRAUD activists measured out the spacing of the signs to determine they were not in compliance with the law, which specifies the warning sign closest to the photo radar van be must be placed "approximately 300 feet" away..."
Tempe Police confirmed the sign was posted at 743ft, and the van was removed from operational status pending the investigation. In addition, both of the warning signs appeared to be placed deliberately behind trees and shrubs, preventing proper notification to oncoming traffic as required.
UK Government Admits Traffic Accident Figures Miscounted
Sep. 28, 2009 The Newspaper - ArticleExcerpt:
For the past several years, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) has heralded the drop in the number of serious traffic accidents as evidence of the success of its speed camera policies. For the first time, the agency admitted last Thursday that injury numbers have dropped because its statistical method is incomplete. Although DfT reported 230,905 injury accidents took place in 2008, the agency now believes the true number of accidents is actually three times greater.
Da Costa didn't breach policy in taking radar firm's gift
Sep. 22, 2009 Edmonton Journal - ArticleWhile the deputy chief did not violate any laws, this article shows how police and county officials are wined, dined, and showered with gifts in order to convince the people-in-power how cameras make the roads safer. Would all of this effort truly be necessary if the products worked as advertised? --admin
Excerpt:
Deputy Chief Darryl da Costa did not violate police policy when he accepted Oilers tickets from a company vying for the city's photo radar contract, Chief Mike Boyd said Monday.
City, Camera Firm May Be Afoul of Law
Sep. 17, 2009 TheLedger.com - ArticleExcerpt:
LAKELAND | The city of Lakeland and the company that operates its red-light camera system may be in violation of state law for destroying public records before they are legally allowed to, according to state officials.
Arizona Officials Mislead Public on Photo Radar Ticket Review
Sep. 9, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Redflex Traffic Systems, a stringent review process guarantees the accuracy of every citation issued under the statewide photo radar program introduced last year. Evidence obtained this week from a confidential Redflex ticket processing manual, however, suggests that the state police and its Australian contractor may be misleading the public with such claims.
Spain: Officials Refund 800 Speed Camera Tickets
Aug. 15, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
Officials in Spain were forced to refund 800 speed camera citations after three local mayors openly criticized a favorite ticketing location as nothing more than an unfair trap. Servei Catala de Transit (SCT) had ordered the installation of a photo radar device last May on the N-240 between Montblanc and Espluga. The machine was positioned so that motorists who enter the road from Espluga do not see a speed limit sign. The device was also stationed at the end of an acceleration lane, further confusing drivers. Three city mayors demanded that SCT issue refunds.
UK Police Caught Forging Speed Camera Documents
Jul. 16, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
A UK court threw out a pair of speed camera citations yesterday after a retired veteran police officer admitted on the stand that he falsified official documents used as proof that the tickets were mailed within statutory deadlines. The Southampton Crown Court concluded that it was an abuse of process for a Hampshire and Isle of Wight speed camera partnership employee to backdate documents. The employee said he was acting on direct orders from his superiors.
Suit claims drivers charged excessive traffic camera fines
Jun. 24, 2009 NWCN.com - ArticleExcerpt:
SEATTLE - A class action lawsuit has been filed against 19 Washington cities, saying fines doled out to drivers caught on a utomatic red light and speed cameras are higher than the law allows.
Attorneys are basing the suit on a state law that was passed by the State Legislature in 2005. The law states "the amount of the fine issued for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction."
Texas Police Chief Fired for Questioning Red Light Cameras
Jun. 18, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - Article --Excerpt:
Questioning the wisdom of photo enforcement can be fatal to the career of a top law enforcement official. Former Texas police Chief Michael Clancey found this out the hard way when he dared to suggest that the College Station City Council should not use red light cameras as a budgetary tool. Clancey filed a lawsuit in federal court last month demanding punitive damages and back wages from the city which, he claimed, violated his First Amendment rights.
Winnipeg, Canada Police Caught Lying with Accident Data
Jun. 13, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - Article -- Alternate ArticleExcerpt:
The Winnipeg, Canada Police Service has been caught a second time underreporting the number of accidents at red light camera intersections in order to make the lucrative program appear effective. The Winnipeg City Auditor was first to note the police tactic in a 2006 audit report. This week, the Winnipeg Sun newspaper found the police are still using the same technique to protect a program which generated $14,086,804 CAD in revenue for 2008.
Italy: Police Raid Speed Camera Company Caught in Fraud Scandal
Jun. 10, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - Article - Follow UpExcerpt:
Italian police yesterday raided the Brescia headquarters of a speed camera manufacturer accused of fraud involving seventy municipalities throughout the country. Officers from the Guardia di Finanza, the law enforcement arm of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, seized computers, machine components and fifty speed cameras as evidence.
City, facts collide: Red-light cam intersection crashes higher than claimed
Jun. 10, 2009 Winnipeg Sun - ArticleExcerpt:
The City of Winnipeg says collisions at red-light camera intersections have fallen dramatically since the photo enforcement program began in 2003.
But collision data obtained by the Winnipeg Sun from Manitoba Public Insurance shows the number of crashes at the intersections is substantially higher than what the city is reporting.
Speed Limit Reduced *AFTER* Speed Camera
Stop Radar Abuse: Court ruling puts onus on city to abide by law
Feb 8, 2009 Winnipeg Sun - ArticlePhoto radar tickets for nine Winnipeg motorists have been tossed out of court after a precedent-setting case has ruled it unlawful to use photo enforcement in construction zones when workers are not present.
California: Short Yellow Forces Ticket Refund in San Carlos
The city of San Carlos, CA was found to be violating state law by setting yellow light times too short at red-light camera intersections. 411 tickets to be cancelled or refunded.
Feb 5, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleRevenue, or safety? How could setting a yellow light time shorter than legally allowed be safe? Seems like it would be more prudent to correct or lengthen the yellow light times before resorting to cameras. --admin
Rival company suing state photo-enforcement firm
Feb 5, 2009 Arizona Republic - ArticleRedflex-rival ATS claims that Redflex made material misrepresentations (fraud) regarding its equipment in its bid to obtain lucrative contracts.
Houston Manipulated Study to Make Red Light Cameras Appear Safer
Documents show that Houston, Texas mayor and police manipulated a study to make it appear red light cameras reduced accidents.
Feb 2, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleItaly: Red Light Camera Makers Arrested for Fraud
Jan 30, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleRed light cameras shut down across Italy in massive fraud scandal involving 109 public officials and contractors.
Red Light Camera and Speed Camera CrimeLine
Jan. 7, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - Article <<<<< Summary of 32 cases!Redflex has failed to meet contract requirements including
providing data, maintenance reports, equipment certifications, and
more.
Do Denver red-light cameras deter violations?
Jan. 4, 2009 RockyMountainNews.com - Article
Redflex Pays FCC $22,000 in Illegal Radar Use Settlement
Jan. 2, 2009 TheNewspaper.com - Article
Driver of photo-radar van arrested for DUI
by Erin Norris - Sept. 9, 2008 12:35 PM The Arizona Republic - Article
Arizona Official Confirms Redflex Falsified Speed Camera Documents
Jul. 9, 2008 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleMotorists race to challenge red-light cameras (Red Light Sensors Moved After Installation
Jul. 9, 2008 USAToday.com - ArticleHunt Highway crash figures double those reported
Jun. 28, 2008 East Valley Tribute - ArticleExcerpt:
Transportation Officials Using Bogus Worker Death Data
Oct 24, 2005 TheNewspaper.com - ArticleExcerpt:
According to a 2001 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, automobiles accounted for only 15 percent of highway construction accidents involving an injury. Trucks were the primary cause of injury in 45 percent of cases and road grading and surfacing equipment caused 15 percent of injuries. Construction machines caused 53 percent of fatalities and trucks caused 26 percent.
This means that many accidents classified as "work zone related" in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics include instances where, for example, a dump truck backs over a worker or an asphalt steam roller hits a worker (examples). That's why the National Transportation Safety Board recommended in 1992 that, "the reporting of work zone fatalities should be revised to distinguish between persons driving highway maintenance vehicles within work zones and other drivers who crash in work zones while traversing the work zone site."
Studies show that regardless of the rationale, double fines have not shown significant safety benefits. The Texas Transportation Institute investigated the effect of a 1998 double fine law in Texas and concluded, "The studies indicated that the double-fine law had little effect on traffic speed characteristics in the work zones examined."
Pictures
How can we trust a company that will not voluntarily comply with laws? The sign laws are simple and easy to comply with, yet Redflex doesn't want't to comply with them.
ARS 28-654 requires and defines signage before photo enforcement installations. The main requirements are a) two signs - one at 300ft before a camera and another at more than 300 feet (typically installed at 1/2 mile). The other requirement is that signs must comply with MUTCD standards. See this blog entry for more information.
This permanent sign was later moved to not be hidden by the Exit sign.
Sign hidden by barrier, not at required height.
Sign hidden by fence, not at required height.