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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: New Red Light Cameras Catch Bad Drivers In Act
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
6/22/2006 9:30:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
Richard Sheridan (206) 684-8540
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New Red Light Cameras Catch Bad Drivers In Act
City launches pilot program at four intersections around the city
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels launched a new program today to make high-traffic
intersections safer: automatic cameras that will catch motorists who endanger
drivers and pedestrians by running red lights.
The red light cameras have been installed at four intersections in the city.
The one-year pilot program will test the effectiveness of a technology that
has been shown to reduce deadly “T-Bone” side-impact collisions
in more than 100 cities worldwide. The technology is also expected to make
it safer for pedestrians to cross these busy streets.
City Council President Nick Licata and Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, strong
supporters of the pilot program, joined Nickels at this morning’s event.
“There is no excuse for running a red light,” Nickels said. “An
instant of recklessness or neglect can take a life or seriously injure a pedestrian
or another driver. That’s what we hope to prevent with these cameras.”
Using sensors at these intersections, the digital cameras photograph the license
plates of cars running a red light. A Seattle police officer will review each
violation and, if approved, a $101 citation will be mailed to the vehicle’s
registered owner. The stepped-up enforcement will encourage drivers to be more
careful when passing through the intersections.
“If this project can save lives and reduce traffic accidents, it should
be expanded to critical intersections throughout the city,” Licata said.
“I am excited Seattle has the chance to try out this technology,” Rasmussen
said. “Red light cameras are a great new strategy to make our neighborhoods
safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.”
A recent study by the Federal Highway Administration showed red light cameras
had a significant effect in reducing dangerous accidents. Vehicles running
red lights typically increase speed and can cause high-speed, side-door collisions
resulting in serious injury and death.
The Seattle Police Department and the city’s Department of Transportation
selected the four intersections for the pilot program, based on traffic safety:
• Fairview Avenue North and Denny Way,
• Rainier Avenue South and South Orcas Street,
• Northeast 45th Street and Roosevelt Avenue Northeast, and
• Fifth Avenue and Spring Street.
The program is one element of Nickels’ effort to improve pedestrian
safety throughout the city. In May 2005, the mayor launched a 10-point pedestrian
safety campaign, and the city has stiffened penalties for negligent driving.
In addition to the education and enforcement efforts so far, the mayor’s
proposed “Bridging the Gap” transportation funding package would
provide $3.8 million annually for pedestrian, bike and safety improvements
and $2.3 million a year for sidewalks, trail and walkway maintenance.
More than 100 communities in California, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia
have installed red light cameras. Lakewood was the first city in Washington
to use the cameras. The state legislature authorized use of red light cameras
last year.
The one-year pilot program is expected to cost the city about $460,000, which
will pay for equipment, installation, police staffing and evaluation.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic
opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter
at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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