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07-31-08 Release: Left-turn photo enforcement under way
July 31, 2008
Contact: Sgt. Mark Clark, (480) 312-1910, or Officer Dave Pubins,
(480) 312-1911
Left-turn photo enforcement under way with activation of
camera at 90th and Shea
Drivers who run red lights while making left-hand turns now face photo enforcement citations in Scottsdale at the intersection of Shea Boulevard and 90th Street.
Last Friday, Aug. 1, that intersection became the first in Scottsdale with a photo enforcement camera monitoring left-turn lanes. Others may follow. Scottsdale plans to eventually introduce left-turn cameras at five more intersections, based on evaluations of the initial results.
All six intersections already have cameras for through traffic. They flash drivers who run red lights or travel through the intersections at speeds of 11 mph or more above the limit.
However, until now, Scottsdale has not activated cameras positioned to photograph drivers in left-turn lanes when they run red lights or red arrows.
“Left turns are among the most dangerous of all maneuvers for drivers, and they require the most caution” said Lt. Pat Connor, head of the department’s Traffic Enforcement Section. “Blowing through a red light to make a left turn puts the driver, other drivers, pedestrians and others at considerable risk. We hope the cameras will change driver behavior and reduce collisions.”
Police are emphasizing that the cameras will not flash drivers who enter the intersection on a green or yellow light and wait for traffic to clear before they complete a safe left-hand turn.
“If the light turns red while you are in the middle of the intersection waiting, you’re OK,” said Connor.
Drivers who enter the intersection after the light has turned red will be flashed. For a violation to occur, the light must be red when a vehicle crosses an imaginary line extending from the nearest curb of the cross street. Click here for diagrams.
While the cameras have not been activated, sensors installed in the pavement at the intersections have been monitoring the number of red-light violations occurring in left-turn lanes. According to the city’s photo enforcement contractor, American Traffic Solutions, cameras have recorded an average of about 440 violations per month at each location.
The typical citation for running a red light is $204. Depending on their records, drivers may be eligible pay a fee to attend Defensive Driving Class. Drivers who plead responsible, or are found responsible by the court, are required to attend Traffic Survival School.
The intersections slated for activation of the left-turn cameras are:
Eastbound Shea Boulevard at 90th Street (activated Friday, Aug. 1)
Southbound Hayden Road at Indian School Road
Eastbound McDowell Road at Scottsdale Road
Northbound Scottsdale Road at Thomas Road
Southbound Scottsdale Road at Shea Boulevard
Northbound Scottsdale Road at Cactus Road
For questions about photo enforcement, residents may call (480) 312-7014 or e-mail photoenforcement@scottsdaleaz.gov.
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