September 15, 1998MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY
In 1995, State law authorized a three-year demonstration period to test the use and effectiveness of so-called "red light cameras" in reducing the incidence of drivers running red lights at intersections, and in identifying the drivers and vehicles involved in such violations. Red light cameras automatically snap a picture of every car that enters an intersection against the light while traveling at least 15 mph. The film shows the front of the car, the license plate number and the driver's face. A citation is sent to the registered owner by mail and becomes enforceable only if the picture shows that the driver was the registered owner. On June 1, 1998 Governor Wilson signed Senate Bill 1136 (Kopp) which extends indefinitely authorization for the use of red light cameras and other automated enforcement systems.
The running of red lights is a primary cause of automobile accidents, fatalities, injuries and property damage. Insurance organizations and the federal government reported last year that 22% of all automobile crashes were caused by red light runners at a cost to the nation of over $7 billion. In addition, research has found that red light violators tend to have poorer than average driving records, use safety belts less frequently, and constitute a higher risk group of drivers.
An independent Institute of Highway Safety study performed in Oxnard, California demonstrated a 42% decrease in the incidence of red light running after the cameras were deployed. According to the Beverly Hills Police traffic accidents have decreased dramatically at the intersection of Wilshire and La Cienega Boulevards where red light cameras are in place. During the first six months of the City and County of San Francisco's program, there was a reported 43% drop in the number of drivers running red lights at intersections equipped with enforcement cameras.
Other cities utilizing red light camera systems include Santa Rosa, El Cajon and Poway. Several more have plans to test this system including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Fremont, Cupertino and Fresno. In each such jurisdiction, a private company has "fronted" all costs of system purchase and installation, and been reimbursed through a share of ticket revenues and/or other sources of funds. Los Angeles County should utilize similar financial arrangements to test these systems at appropriate intersections and determine their usefulness in abating traffic accidents in areas under our jurisdiction.
I, THEREFORE, MOVE THAT the Board instruct the Director of Public Works to work with the Sheriff's Department and the Chief Administrative Officer to decrease red light running in Los Angeles County by developing a Request for Proposals for design and implementation of a pilot "red light camera" program at appropriate intersections; such RFP to specify that all costs of purchasing and installing the system will be borne by the proposer; and
I FURTHER MOVE that the above departments be instructed to return to the Board within 60 days with the RFP and any related recommendations.
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