Hayward Hearing on Red Light Camera Proposal
The Hayward Police Dept. is now scheduled to present a new contract proposal for photo enforcement of red light violations to the City Council on Tuesday, March 5th at 7:00 pm at City Hall. Critics of the ticketing program wonder if the Hayward Police and Engineering Departments will disclose that a vast majority of violations occur within a fraction of a second after a light turns red.
An analysis of the data provided by the City shows that 71% of violations from the straight through lanes of traffic occur within the first 7/10's of a second of the red light. One signal light in Fremont had 7/10's added to its yellow and there was an immediate and lasting 75% reduction in violations of the straight through type. Newark which already employs yellow lights 7/10's of a second longer than the legal minimum report that fewer than 10% of all violations occur in the straight through lanes of traffic. Oakland reported in one study period a 48% reduction from all lanes of traffic when one second was added to most of its yellow lights.
Camera critics contend this simple and inexpensive solution to any red light running problems is not more widely used because it severely impacts revenue. When Caltrans lengthened that one yellow light in Fremont, income fell by over $100K annually. On March 5th Hayward may reveal how it chooses to balance safety needs vs. revenue requirements.
Send your comments to Hayward City Council in care of the city clerk cityclerk@hayward-ca.gov or attend the meeting. I would appreciate a copy of your comment.
Roger Jones, Organizer rlouisj@aol.com
http://www.meetup.com/Red-Light-Camera-Protest-Group-of-Southern-Alameda-County/
