Red-light cameras in Raleigh will go black at the end of the month, but it might not be for long.
City Council did not have the votes on Tuesday to extend the contract with the company behind the Safelight Program. They were one vote short, but now one councilman is switching sides.
Councilman Eugene Weeks said he voted against the measure because he wanted more information about why a red-light camera was removed from his district.
“I am for the cameras, I believe in them and some of the information I've already received, I'm ready to overturn my vote, bring it back to the table, and vote for it,” said Weeks.
Red-light cameras were intended to put a stop to t-bone accidents, but some reports claim the cameras are not effective.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed fatal red light running crashes increased three fold in Raleigh when looking at data from 1992 to 1996, before the cameras where installed, to 2004 to 2008.
Mike Kennon works in Raleigh's Public Works Department, he disagreed with the report, and said the numbers do support the cameras.
He said from 2004 to 2008 there were 12 deadly crashes at intersections that now have red light cameras, but all of those crashes were from before the cameras were installed.
Kennon also said crashes over all have also decreased where there are red-light cameras by about 80 percent.
“When people consider there might be some danger of being ticketed that they will be more likely to stop,” said Raleigh resident Scott Heath.
The Safelight Program does not cost taxpayers anything. Violators foot the bill when they pay the $50 citation. Any revenue left over goes to Wake County Public Schools. Last year that was more than $180,000.
“You should not have any issues if you don't run any red lights,” said Raleigh resident David Purvis.
The contract ends on September 30. Council meets again October 4.
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