· Trigger
KVII reports camera inconsistencies at Amarillo's eight red-light camera intersections
KVII ABC 7 reports TxDOT ticket counts that rose or fell sharply at some intersections and two-hour observations in which some cameras flashed with no cars present and others did not flash when drivers ran the light. The report cites an operating cost of $456,000 a year and about $200,000 a year in city revenue.[1][2]
Freda PowellHoward SmithEddy SauerGinger NelsonElaine HaysEd DrainAmerican Traffic Solutions
What the sources say
- ✓ Verified
KVII reported TxDOT data showing tickets at Coulter & Elmhurst up 63% and at Pierce & 11th Avenue up 65% from 2015 to 2016, and at Coulter & I-40 down 80%.[1]
- ✓ Verified
KVII ABC 7: In two-hour observations, KVII reported the Coulter & I-40 camera did not flash when a driver ran the light, the Coulter & Elmhurst and Pierce & 11th cameras flashed with no cars in the intersection, and three cars ran the light at Amarillo Blvd. & Pierce without triggering the camera.[1]
- ✓ Verified
KVII reported that the eight cameras cost $456,000 a year to operate and that the City earned about $200,000 a year from them, used for public safety programs.[1]
- Annual operating cost
- $456,000
- Annual city revenue
- $200,000
- ✓ Verified
American Traffic Solutions (2016 presentation), as reported by KVII: Citations were $75 each; in a 2016 presentation to the City Council, American Traffic Solutions said about 1,750 citations were issued monthly.[1]
- Citation
- $75
- Monthly citations
- 1,750
- ✓ Verified
The contract required the operator to repair non-functional equipment within three business days of notice of a malfunction.[1]
- ✓ Verified
Council members Freda Powell and Howard Smith questioned whether the equipment was working; Police Chief Ed Drain called inconsistent cameras a safety concern; Mayor Ginger Nelson and Council Member Elaine Hays declined to watch the video; the operator did not respond to KVII.[1]