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Motorists traveling Ascension Parish roads may soon find themselves on camera and ticketed for driving violations recorded by the camera system.
The Parish Council Sept. 17 unanimously approved an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that will allow traffic enforcement utilizing photographic evidence from targeted intersections.
The purpose of the change is to reduce red light “running” at street intersections, improve traffic control and flow efforts and reduce serious traffic accidents, according to the ordinance.
The date the program goes into effect could be as early as January, but depends upon approval from the Department of Transportation.
A contractor, American Traffic Solutions of Scottsdale, Ariz. has been selected to install and operate the system. Five or so cameras are planned to kick the program off, each placed in a high profile, violation prone area.
Sheriff Jeff Wiley and Lt. Col. Paul Robert appeared at the regular meeting and answered questions from the council.
“This is like medicine,” Wiley said. “Sometimes it doesn’t taste good.”
The $95 civil penalty for a first time offender was set below the $118 Baton Rouge rate for running a red light. Subsequent offenses within a 12 month period are $145.
Wiley said the vendor receives a 30 to 40 percent fee for tickets issued, and the remainder of collected fees is divided between the sheriff’s office, parish government the district attorney and parish court. Some of the funds may also go to the parish road fund for intersection improvements, he said.
When asked by Councilman Todd Lambert if the cameras were causing accidents when people look at the cameras, Wiley said cities utilizing the system have seen just the opposite. Results indicate “absolute reductions in traffic violations,” he said.
There is no question in photos about where the car is located under red and amber traffic lights, the sheriff said, but indicated his department will be there to meet ticket holders if they want to challenge the citation. Violators can also appeal through the District Attorney’s office and District Court.
The system will allow his department to put more deputies on the streets, the sheriff said.
Robert explained that video of activity at the intersection is archived and can be reviewed by law enforcement in the event of accident when there is conflicting evidence or testimony.
Several councilmen said the camera system changes driver habits.
“I can tell you right now it works,” said Dennis Cullen.
“This actually does change driver behavior for the better,” said Chris Loar.
Motorists traveling Ascension Parish roads may soon find themselves on camera and ticketed for driving violations recorded by the camera system.
The Parish Council Sept. 17 unanimously approved an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that will allow traffic enforcement utilizing photographic evidence from targeted intersections.
The purpose of the change is to reduce red light “running” at street intersections, improve traffic control and flow efforts and reduce serious traffic accidents, according to the ordinance.
The date the program goes into effect could be as early as January, but depends upon approval from the Department of Transportation.
A contractor, American Traffic Solutions of Scottsdale, Ariz. has been selected to install and operate the system. Five or so cameras are planned to kick the program off, each placed in a high profile, violation prone area.
Sheriff Jeff Wiley and Lt. Col. Paul Robert appeared at the regular meeting and answered questions from the council.
“This is like medicine,” Wiley said. “Sometimes it doesn’t taste good.”
The $95 civil penalty for a first time offender was set below the $118 Baton Rouge rate for running a red light. Subsequent offenses within a 12 month period are $145.
Wiley said the vendor receives a 30 to 40 percent fee for tickets issued, and the remainder of collected fees is divided between the sheriff’s office, parish government the district attorney and parish court. Some of the funds may also go to the parish road fund for intersection improvements, he said.
When asked by Councilman Todd Lambert if the cameras were causing accidents when people look at the cameras, Wiley said cities utilizing the system have seen just the opposite. Results indicate “absolute reductions in traffic violations,” he said.
There is no question in photos about where the car is located under red and amber traffic lights, the sheriff said, but indicated his department will be there to meet ticket holders if they want to challenge the citation. Violators can also appeal through the District Attorney’s office and District Court.
The system will allow his department to put more deputies on the streets, the sheriff said.
Robert explained that video of activity at the intersection is archived and can be reviewed by law enforcement in the event of accident when there is conflicting evidence or testimony.
Several councilmen said the camera system changes driver habits.
“I can tell you right now it works,” said Dennis Cullen.
“This actually does change driver behavior for the better,” said Chris Loar.
Parish President Tommy Martinez said, “Anything we can do to make our intersections safer is the thing to do.”
Councilman Benny Johnson was absent from the meeting and did not vote.
In an unrelated matter, parish officials accepted a previously announced $18 million check from Department of Environmental Quality Sec. Harold Leggett that will be used to start work on the proposed parish-wide sewage treatment system and plant.
The parish also received a report from Ted Jones of Stephens Inc. and bonding attorney Malcolm Dugas that the parish became the ninth parish in the state to receive a AA-minus bond rating. The new rating results in a $357,000 savings from the refund of 2001 bonds totaling about $9 million.
The Ascension Parish School Board also recently received an AA-minus bond rating, as well.
