The City of Charlotte has decided to suspend the Safe Speed and SafeLight programs. The suspension went into effect Friday. City officials based the decision on a recent court case involving the proceeds from High Point, N.C.’s SafeLight program. In that case, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that proceeds of a red light camera program must be paid to the local board of education. That ruling was contrary to an earlier decision made by a Federal District Court. City Manager Pam Syfert, Police Chief Darrel Stephens, and Charlotte Department of Transportation Director Jim Humphrey, agreed to suspend the programs to limit the City’s financial liability in the event the court ruling stands and until the City Council has time to discuss future options.
The City’s contractor, Peek Traffic Corporation, is cooperating with the suspension of the programs. “With reluctance, we are suspending the programs,” said Chief Stephens. “Red light running and speeding are major public safety issues that cause needless crashes, injuries and fatalities.”Charlotte’s experience with the speed-detecting cameras in the 14 designated corridors shows a 12-14% reduction in crashes and a 55% reduction in speeding incidents. Data analyses have shown similar safety improvements with the red light cameras:
•Overall, angle accidents have been reduced by 37% at SafeLight intersections•Overall, angle accidents have been reduced by 60% on the camera approaches
•All crash types have reduced 19% on the camera approaches
•Accident severity has been reduced by 16%
The future of any red light or speed cam programs will be discussed at the June 5 City Council meeting.
Source: WCNC