Red Light Cameras Capture $86k In Summonses

Cameras at the intersection of Black Oak Ridge Road and Hamburg Turnpike have captured more than $86,000 in traffic violations since last April.

The township at the heavily-traveled intersection last year as part of a test program initiated by the state. Violations are sent to the owners of the vehicles caught running a red light traveling west on Hamburg Turnpike and north on Black Oak Ridge Road. Drivers are not permitted to turn right on red onto Hamburg Turnpike from Black Oak Ridge Road.

The cameras have filmed 2,265 violations at the intersection: 1,088 in 2011 and 1,177 so far this year.

“We knew it would generate some activity, but everyone’s a little surprised by just how many violations have been caught,” said Chief John Reardon.

A portion of each $85 violation goes to American Traffic Solutions (ATS), the company that operates the cameras. Reardon said he did not know how much from each violation is sent or how much ATS has received since the cameras became operational.

ATS sends footage of each violation to the department’s traffic bureau. An officer views and validates each violation before a summons is mailed.

“Every violation has been put on video,” Reardon said, “so there’s proof that every one occurred.”

Lt. Paul Dring, commander of the police department’s traffic division, could not be reached for comment.

Signs informing drivers that the cameras are operating precede the intersection.

Reardon said officials are exploring installing similar cameras at other intersections but did not say which ones were possible candidates.

“Traffic surveys have to be conducted at an intersection before cameras are placed at one,” Reardon said.

The driver of a recycling truck reportedly sped through the intersection of Hamburg Turnpike and Alps Road . The truck overturned on its side, crushing a car and causing another accident. Several people were injured in the accident. The driver of the truck .

Should similar cameras be installed at other intersections in town? If so, which ones? Let us know in the comments or by voting in the poll below this article.