Duncanville » News

By KEITH BILBREY
Wednesday, August 16, 2006 8:27 AM CDT

Special to Today

The city of Duncanville has contracted with the Redflex Traffic Systems to install Red-Light Photo enforcement camera systems at select intersections.

These have been installed in an effort to reduce traffic crashes and to eliminate the resulting injuries, fatalities and loss of property.

Nationwide, red-light running causes about 260,000 crashes each year, of which 750 are fatalities. The annual economic impact of crashes is estimated at $7 billion in medical costs, time off work, insurance hikes and property damage.

June 5, Duncanville had a fatality crash at the intersection of S. Cockrell Hill Road and Hwy. 67 service road as a result of a red-light violation.

June 15, four red light camera systems became operational. There have been about 2,595 red-light violations captured since that time.

During the first 30 days only warnings were issued to those that were captured running the lights.

“During those first 30 days we captured 1,451 violators using the cameras and warnings were issued,” said Lt. Charles Smith of the Duncanville Police Department.

According to the Duncanville PD, since the department started issuing citations after July 15, 1,144 violators were captured by the cameras.

Revenues generated from the system will be utilized for traffic and transportation safety infrastructure improvements within the city.

“One of the leading contributors to accidents in Duncanville is someone running a red light,” Police Chief Jack Long said. “We want to do everything possible to keep our motoring public safe.”

The red-light cameras are the newest initiatives that law enforcement agencies across the Metroplex are taking to cut down on accidents.

Signs are placed at the intersections warning drivers that the cameras are operational.

“Police departments across the country have been using this type of enforcement action for the past 6-7 years,” Long said.

The major difference with the camera enforcement is that it falls under civil action.

Those that are caught running the lights will face a graduated fee scale for each time they run a light.

First and second offenses will cost $80; third, and any subsequent offenses during a one-year period, are $150.

“That is one of the big distinctions with this type of enforcement action. This is falling under civil instead of criminal,” Long said.

With this type of action the driver of the vehicle will not be cited, but the owner of the vehicle will be held civilly liable for the driver's actions.

Those vehicle owners that refuse to pay the fee will face the possibility that civil action will be taken that could affect their credit.

“We will be evaluating additional intersections throughout the city to determine if other intersections will be included in this program,” Long said.

Those receiving RedFlex citations should contact the Redflex Customer Service Center Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1-866-527-9470 with questions.

Keith Bilbrey is the city's community information administrator.

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