Group backs use of red-light cameras

Hazelwood chief is among leaders of Missouri Families for Safer Roads

Hazelwood Police Chief Carl Wolf believes in red-light cameras, so much so that he is helping lead a statewide effort supporting their use.

"Red light cameras work," Wolf said last week.

Wolf is one of three founding directors of Missouri Families for Safer Roads, described as a nonprofit and nonpartisan coalition of health, safety and law enforcement representatives.

The group held a news conference Feb. 24 at the Hazelwood Government Center. Among those participating in the coalition are Max Starkloff, founder of Paraquad; Sue Orton, a board member of the Missouri Brain Injury Association; Meghan Carter, executive director of the Gateway Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving; and Jefferson County Sheriff Oliver "Glenn" Boyer.

The group says its purpose is to increase public awareness about crashes caused by drivers running red lights.

Red-light cameras take digital photos of vehicles entering an intersection after the signal turns red.

A copy of the photo and a ticket are mailed to a vehicle’s registered owners. Fines are generally $100 for individual violations. No points are assessed against the vehicle owner’s driver’s license.

Proponents say the cameras prompt drivers to be more aware and to avoid running red lights. Critics question the constitutionality of the cameras and whether they cause more rear-end accidents. Some opponents call the cameras a money grab by municipalities.

But Wolf and other police officials say the cameras prevent accidents and reduce injuries.

In Hazelwood, Wolf said, citations for running red lights dropped 47 percent between 2007, when the cameras were installed, and 2008.

About 30 cities statewide use the cameras, including Bridgeton, Florissant and St. Ann. Florissant and Hazelwood were among the first cities to install them. Each has 14 cameras operating.

The news conference took place a day before the state’s Senate Transportation Committee voted 8-2 against a bill that would outlaw the cameras. State Sen. Jim Lembke, R-1st District, sponsored the measure.

Senators on the committee who voted against the bill included Jane Cunningham, R-7th District, and Rita Heard Days, D-14th District.

Despite the committee vote, legislation restricting the cameras could still happen.

"The reality is that anything can happen in the legislature," said Scott Charton, a spokesman for the coalition. "Jim Lembke could offer an amendment on the floor."

Wolf testified against the bill in Jefferson City the week before.

"We’re educating state leaders about the proven effectiveness of cameras for raising driver awareness and saving lives," Wolf said.

Watch a video of red-light camera violations that Missouri Families for Safer Roads describes as the 10 worst in 2008 at http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/north.