Rio-29 cameras cut number of red-light runners

Traffic light violations have apparently declined drastically at a busy Albemarle intersection since cameras were installed late last year.

The cameras are designed to only produce photographs and 12-second videos of vehicles that run red lights more than a half-second after the light turns red.

The cameras registered 998 violations during a 27-day period ending Jan. 7, according to county statistics released Tuesday. That number is less than half that of the previous 27-day data period, which ended Dec. 7.

“We are pleased to see what appears to be a positive impact on red-light violations since the enforcement phase of PhotoSafe began in December,” police Capt. John Parrent said in a prepared statement. “That impact translates into improved traffic safety for all vehicles using that intersection, which is the objective of our PhotoSafe program.”

During the first data period, violators were only issued warnings. The system went live a month ago, and those whom police ultimately deem egregious violators are slapped with $50 fines in the mail.

Albemarle police Cpl. Sean Hackney said the police department is still analyzing the freshly compiled statistics. He said the department hopes to have more information within coming weeks, including statistics on crashes at the intersection since the cameras were installed.

Though the system triggered what the technology recognizes as 998 violations, police only issued 412 fines.

The 586 other cases were rejected by the vendor or county police officers, according to county spokeswoman Lee Catlin, for reasons that included camera issues (such as sun glare or picture blurriness), vehicle obstruction and incomplete or wrong driver information filed at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Some minor violations were discarded at the discretion of officers reviewing the video evidence.

Hackney said the department tries to use the same discretion as if the officer was actually in the field, meaning drivers who turn right on red after slowing to a snail’s pace but without actually stopping might get a pass — as well as drivers who stop just slightly past the stop bar.

Of the 2,040 incidents captured during the first data period, 464 warnings were issued.

About 11 percent fewer citations were issued during the most recent data period than warnings that had been issued during the first data period.

If none of the cases ends up with a not-guilty verdict in court and everyone pays their fines, $20,600 will be generated. The first $10,000 would go to the vendor, with the county receiving the remaining $10,600.

County officials say the system was not installed to increase revenue but rather to improve safety at the intersection, at which police officers struggled to enforce traffic laws because of the numerous crossing lanes.

The $50 civil fines do not count against violators’ traffic records.