|
Baton Rouge Enforces Photo Enforcement of Red Lights to Improve Safety on the Streets
Motorists who travel some of Baton Rouge’s busiest intersections should be careful not to run red lights or they could receive a violation notice as part of the city’s efforts to use technology to
make the streets safer.
As part of Baton Rouge’s “Red Light Safety Program”, cameras have been installed and are fully operational in five intersection locations to enhance steet safety with scheduled plans to implementing five new
intersection locations.
“Cities across the country have been using this technology to reduce accidents by changing the way drivers respond to traffic signals,” said Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden. “We are implementing this technology
initially at some of our problem intersections with the goal of reducing accidents, preventing intersections from being blocked and keeping the traffic flowing.”
Fully Functional Camera Locations
Essen Lane @ I-10 Eastbound Off-ramp: eastbound I-10 off-ramp left, right, and through movements; northbound Essen through movements on the southern side of the intersection; and southbound Essen left and through
movements on the northern side of the intersection.
College Drive @ I-10 Eastbound Off-ramp: northbound College through movements and eastbound I-10 off-ramp left turns. This is only for the northern part of this intersection.
Airline Highway @ Old Hammond Highway: northbound Airline left and through movements.
LA 19 @ Blount Road: northbound LA 19 right and through movements.
In addition, five new intersections are scheduled to have cameras installed.
Upcoming Camera Locations
Northbound S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard @ Coursey Boulevard;
Westbound Coursey Boulevard @ S Sherwood Forest Boulevard;
Westbound Coorporate Boulevard @ College Drive;
Northbound S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard @ N. Harrell's Ferry Road;
Southbound S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard @ N. Harrell's Ferry Road.
Mayor Holden said drivers will have ample warning of the photo enforcement of red lights through signs installed at the intersections and all fully functional and scheduled locations and upcoming locations.
Mayor-President
Holden, Ingolf Partenheimer, DPW Chief Traffic Engineer, Arthur J. Boudreaux III, Baton Rouge City Prosecutor and Lt. Gary Traylor, Baton Rouge City Police details just how the
program works.
The registered owner of the vehicle that runs a red light will receive a notice of violation that costs $117. The fine for subsequent violations within a 12-month period will cost $167
each. The fine is a civil penalty and will not be reported to the driver’s insurance company.
The cameras operate 24 hours a day and capture still photographs and video of every vehicle that runs a red light at the intersection. Cameras photograph only the vehicle and the license plate of vehicles running
the red lights. No images of the driver or passengers are captured. Each set of images of a red light violation are reviewed and approved by the Baton Rouge City Police Department before a Notice of Violation is mailed
to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The registered owner who receives the notice has four options to resolve the violation: (1) pay the fine either by mail, phone using a credit card, or in person at City Court, (2) pay online at
www.ViolationInfo.com,
(3) contest the violation through an Adjudication Hearing Officer, or (4) submit a “Declaration of Non-Liability” through the Court for its review stating that the vehicle’s registered owner was not driving the car at
the time the violation was recorded. Violators may view a 12-second video clip provided by the vendor, American Traffic Solutions, Inc. at www.ViolationInfo.com
The City of Baton Rouge contracts with American Traffic Solutions to provide the Red Light Camera Enforcement Program. ATS is installing and maintaining all equipment related to this program and process. For more
information on ATS, visit www.atsol.com
|
