Phoenix to consider more accident-causing red light cameras
It’s not getting any cheaper to live in the city of Phoenix. Over the past couple years, residents have seen taxes and fees explode at the same time that jobless rates have done the same thing.
What is the city’s grand idea to improve the standard of living? Install more red light cameras!!
Phoenicians truly are at a major deficit in leadership. Have the mostly listless city council and a disinterested two term mayor not paid any attention to what’s been going on in other cities with red light cameras?
Tempe, for example is being sued by greedy Redflex Traffic Systems because they want a bigger piece of the pie, while causing a doubling in fatalities at intersections where their cameras were installed. Peoria saw accidents increase by 100%-400% in several intersections after camera installation. In Los Angeles this month, the LAPD commission unanimously voted to get rid of all the city’s red light cameras, citing absolutely no safety benefit.
Phoenicians, get ready for more red light cameras and more accidents and fatalities, just like we saw in Redflex “serviced” Tempe and Peoria unless your city council wakes up and says no.
A Phoenix-based newspaper reported that there are 21 intersections (table) which Redflex is targeting for installing their dangerous red light cams, due to accident numbers. In fact, the city’s Photo Enforcement Officer, Lt. Pat Hoffman says he wants to see every intersection in the city have cameras installed and he’s not kidding.
Maybe City Council has been too busy raising your taxes to do enough homework to know that increasing yellow light durations and having all-red intervals is the key to cutting down accidents and violations. Georgia, Texas, California and Missouri have all seen dramatic reductions where signal timing was improved in this manner.
Perhaps your city council, who appear to be the ones asleep at the wheel should know how you feel.
Thelda Williams – District 1
Brian Jeffries – District 2
Claude Mattox – District 5 (Also running for Mayor 2011)
Sal DiCiccio – District 6
Michael Nowakowski – District 7
Michael Johnson – District 8
