News Summary
The Phoenix City Council has approved a $12 million contract to reinstate photo enforcement cameras on city streets to enhance traffic safety. With a 7-1 vote, the council aims to address rising fatalities through the installation of mobile photo radar vehicles and red-light cameras at high-crash intersections. This decision marks a return to photo enforcement after its suspension in 2019 and aligns with the Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan. The city plans to implement a grace period for drivers before fines are issued.
Phoenix – The Phoenix City Council has officially approved a $12 million contract with Verra Mobility to reinstate photo enforcement cameras on city streets, aiming to enhance roadway safety amid rising traffic fatalities. The significant decision was made with a 7-1 vote; Councilman Tom Waring abstained, while Councilwoman Anna Hernandez opposed the measure.
This new contract entails the installation of three mobile photo radar vehicles, red-light cameras at ten high-crash intersections, and three movable radar towers. The agreement spans until March 31, 2026, with four potential one-year renewal options, reflecting the city’s commitment to improving traffic safety.
The reintroduction of red-light cameras comes after their discontinuation in 2019, following nearly 18 years of operation. In 2023, the need for renewed enforcement measures was highlighted under the Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan, designed to eliminate traffic fatalities. This move aligns with recent trends, as neighboring Tempe reintroduced red-light cameras in May at 14 intersections to combat similar safety concerns.
Several other cities in Arizona, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, and Paradise Valley, have been utilizing photo enforcement systems successfully. Phoenix has taken lessons from these implementations to inform its own strategy while planning a 30-day grace period during which only warnings will be issued to drivers following the installation of the cameras. Each installation at a new intersection will incur a cost of $10,000.
Recent statistics illustrate the urgent need for such measures. Over a two-week period, Tempe’s cameras recorded 952 red-light violations and 1,317 speeding violations. Furthermore, from 2017 to 2023, Phoenix experienced 132 fatalities and 6,698 injuries linked to red-light running incidents. In 2023 alone, the city recorded 20 fatalities and 810 traffic-related injuries.
Research demonstrates that red-light running cameras can significantly reduce crashes, although they may inadvertently increase rear-end collisions. Despite this potential drawback, advocates for the program emphasize the primary goal of preventing traffic fatalities and improving public safety through effective traffic law enforcement. The city has indicated that the newly reinstated cameras will not serve as revenue-generating tools, noting a mere $57,000 profit from traffic cameras during their last operational year.
The necessity of automated enforcement has been underscored by Vice Mayor Anne O’Brien, who pointed out the shortage of police officers available to monitor traffic on more than 5,000 miles of city streets, with only 20 dedicated motor officers currently assigned to traffic enforcement duties.
Hernandez articulated concerns regarding the impact of automated cameras on low-income neighborhoods and suggested that investment in infrastructure might offer a more equitable solution. The city council must navigate this complex landscape of public opinion, where perspectives diverge; some community members view camera enforcement as a vital safety measure, while others criticize it for potentially leading to excessive fines and criminalization.
Councilwoman Brenda Stark noted a growing decline in drivers’ respect for traffic rules, indicating that stricter enforcement may be necessary to restore order on the roads. The implementation timeline for the new camera systems anticipates installations completed by fall 2025.
As Phoenix moves forward with this initiative, the overarching goal remains clear: to enhance traffic safety and prevent further fatalities on its streets, while simultaneously managing the diverse opinions of its residents regarding the effectiveness and fairness of photo enforcement systems.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Phoenix City Council Votes to Reintroduce Red Light Cameras
Significant Traffic Delays in Glendale Due to Multi-Vehicle Crash
Significant Traffic Delays Due to Car Fires in Phoenix
Tragic Incident at Yuma Border Patrol Custody Raises Concerns
Additional Resources
- The Foothills Focus
- Wikipedia: Red Light Camera
- ABC15
- Google Search: Phoenix red light cameras
- AZCentral
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Law
- Arizona’s Family
- Google News: Phoenix traffic enforcement
