Red Light Camera News Yellow lights destroy camera profits, San Maeto, CA
The city of San Carlos will likely remove its single red-light camera because it is losing more than $2,000 each month at the current location and has no other intersections that warrant that type of enforcement, according to officials.
In October, the City Council considered switching the camera at westbound Brittan Avenue and Industrial Road to Holly Street after learning the area had a significant number of violations. But a new traffic signal looping system installed at the site improved traffic flow. A new survey in March showed the violations had been completely eliminated, according to Police Chief Greg Rothaus.
Besides, if the city moves the existing camera, it must extend the current contract with Redflex beyond its Oct. 27, 2011 end date.
With no need for enforcement and no desire to continue a program that loses money, the City Council Monday night will consider giving Redflex, Inc. written notice not to automatically renew the contract.
Currently, the city pays Redflex a fixed fee of $5,870 monthly through November 2010 no matter how many violations occur — a model which lets the city avoid the scrutiny of jurisdictions who pay nothing for their systems but receive revenue exceeding a pre-defined amount.
San Carlos pays another $2,000 in expenses each month used for personnel costs associated with the program, bringing the total annual cost to approximately $94,440.
The city lost approximately $70,000 over the two years, Rothaus told the City Council when the issue first arose in October.
Although the city will benefit by not running an average monthly deficit of $2,213, Assistant City Manager Brian Moura said city officials were swayed more by the lack of need.
“This was never about the money. It was about enforcement,” Moura said.
When enforcement began, the intersection averaged 12 violations daily but in January 2009 it was found the yellow warning light duration was not consistent with state standards. The camera was modified, dropping the county to two violations per 24-hour period.
By October 2009, the count had dropped to 1.5 violations which prompted the council to consider a move to the Holly Street area.
The city also looked at northbound traffic on El Camino Real at San Carlos Avenue but a large mature heritage tree prevented a camera being placed.
The council pushed off any possible move until January because they wanted to see holiday season numbers. When the figures were crunched again, the violations had gone down to 1.3 — an overall reduction of 87 percent since the program went live in November 2008.
Info box:
The San Carlos City Council meets 7 p.m. Monday, April 12 at City Hall, 600 Elm St., San Carlos.
Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext.
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