7 intersections under review for red-light camera project
Mountlake Terrace is studying seven intersections as it considers implementing its own red-light camera project.
In June, Lynnwood began using red-light cameras at four intersections. It now has five in use and, since July, when citations - not warnings - started being sent, the city has grossed more than $300,000.
Mountlake Terrace hopes to have red-light cameras in place by the beginning of next year. It began evaluating different systems last year but only now is considering where to install them.
At least two are likely to be placed at the intersections of 220th Street Southwest and 56th Avenue West and at 220th Street Southwest and 66th Avenue West - intersections with high traffic counts and numbers of collisions.
“Along the 220th commercial corridor, there are a number of accidents, and they’re caused primarily by red-light violations,” said Mountlake Terrace City Manager John Caulfield. “The good news is that accidents have been cut in half since 2004 because of road reconstruction there, but we’re still having some issues.”
The highest collision rate is at 220th Street Southwest and 58th Avenue West, with 1.08 collisions per million vehicles, according to city statistics. But that intersection is not controlled by a four-way traffic signal, so photo enforcement is not an option there, said Kirk Roberts, city traffic engineer.
The next highest collision rates occur at 220th/66th and 220th/56th, with 0.92 collisions per million vehicles and 0.88 collisions per million vehicles, respectively.
“The best possible result revolves around safety as well as a smooth traffic flow,” said Police Chief Scott Smith. “The volume is unbelievably high because the road backs up to the freeway.”
Under the city’s five-year contract with Redflex Traffic Systems of Scottsdale, Ariz., the company will collect the money from each infraction up to $4,800 per intersection - the cost of operating a camera there.
The city pays nothing if fines are less and receives any additional income if fines are more, Smith said.
That could be a lot, considering how successful Lynnwood’s system has been. The city leases equipment from American Traffic Solutions, also of Scottsdale, and between July 1 and Oct. 3 issued 5,730 citations, for a gross total of $308,455, said Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions.
“It’s too early to tell what kind of accident reduction has occurred, but definitely, some people have been learning their lessons,” she said.
As in Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace police officers will make the final decision whether to send a citation to the registered driver of the vehicle. The citation is a civil infraction and does not count against a driver’s record or insurance.
One difference, however, is that in Mountlake Terrace, appeals will go to the city’s hearing examiner instead of District Court. The reason, Smith said, is to save money.
“Every time something goes to District Court, it costs us a filing fee of about $35,” he said.
Mountlake Terrace drivers will have 30 days to get used to the red-light camera system, Caulfield said, and the city plans to post signs alerting drivers to camera-monitored intersections where running a red could be costly.
“And then, it’s $124,” he said.
Christopher Schwarzen: 425-745-7813 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com