Warning period begins for Tempe photo radar
Eugene Scott
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 1, 2007 08:37 AM
Most of Tempe's new photo radar equipment has been installed at five intersections as police began a 30-day warning period for red-light runners Thursday .
The new equipment means seven Tempe intersections are now monitoring red light runners and people speeding through green lights. Part of the upgrade includes three additional fixed cameras for speeding. When installation is complete, the department would have added 20 new cameras.
"They're finishing up installing them," said Mike Horn, Tempe police spokesperson. "There's one intersection that should be online by the first part of next week."
The city began using photo radar enforcement since 1996.
Police chose the new locations based on feedback from data on speeding and traffic engineering.
Tempe will continue using two photo radar vans, which have been issuing warnings since September. The vans will now issue citations.
"Basically we've been in the process of transitioning from the old outdated equipment to the new provider," Horn said. "While we're in that new transition. We've been issuing warnings and all the bugs are worked out of that."
Motorists caught violating traffic laws through the intersections will receive warnings by mail until Dec. 1.
There will be signage near the new intersections warning motorists about the new photo radar. The location of the vans will be on the Tempe police website each week.
Police hope the new radar will help reduce traffic accidents in Tempe, which had more than 7,000 collisions last year.
And the new equipment is not a money-making machine for the city, despite some residents' belief, Horn said.
Tempe lost $285,000 last year through its radar enforcement program.
Officials expect the new program to break even.
Thanks for the heads up. I do recall seeing photo enforcement signs when we first entered Prescott.
