Citations carry a $50 fine with an additional $50 penalty if the fine is not paid within a specified period. No driver's license or insurance points are assessed. Net proceeds go to public schools. Those who believe they received the citation by mistake have the right to appeal.
Overview
The Town of Cary uses cameras at intersections in an effort to reduce crashes by ticketing drivers who run red lights. The state Legislature passed NC General Statutes 160A-300.2 in 2001 allowing cities and towns to catch red light runners this way.
Cameras operating:
To protect pedestrians trying to cross the street, drivers turning right on red must come to a complete stop BEHIND THE STOP BAR, not in or after the crosswalk, before proceeding.
Selection of Locations
The Town of Cary installed red light cameras at a total of 15 intersections. The Police and Engineering departments chose locations based on criteria such as:
Payments
Return envelopes for payment are included with citations. Please make payment by check, money order or credit card to SafeLight Cary. Payments cannot be processed at Town Hall. You may also pay online by credit card.
Citation Questions
– Call Redflex Traffic Systems toll free at 1 (877)
847-2338 weekdays between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
How the Cameras Work
The system uses magnetic loops imbedded in pavement. It is triggered by
any vehicle passing over the loops above a minimum speed at a specified
time after the signal has turned red. The camera records the date, time
of day, speed, and time elapsed since the light turned red. The Town will
review photos showing purported violations to remove any that are not
clear-cut. Then the company operating Cary's system will mail out notices
of the violations. With citations will be photos showing the vehicle before
the stop line and beyond the stop line, plus one showing the license plate.
Vehicle owners are
responsible for violations unless they can show that someone else was
in the "care, custody or control" of the vehicle when the violation
occurred. The owner must provide this information, including an affidavit,
within 30 days of receiving notice of the citation. By appointment, those
who receive citations may view video images at the SafeLight Cary office
at 315 N. Academy St., Suite 204. Call (919) 388-9129 for the required
appointment. An appeals panel meets
monthly to review objections to citations or penalties. Appointments are
required. Learn more about appealing a citation.
Contesting Citations
State law requires that "clear proceeds" go to the county
school system. This is any money left over after buying or leasing
equipment, paying a company to operate the system, and allowing for any
administrative expenses.
The Town of Cary is allowed to break even on the system, but may not make
a profit.
The Town staff plans to discuss with Wake County school system officials
how proceeds from the red light violations might be used.
Red Light Violations in Cary
In 2001, Cary police issued 371 red light violations. Experts estimate
that only 1 percent of drivers who fail to stop at a red light receive
a citation. In 2001, the Cary Police Department reported 85 collisions
caused by red light running with 71 injuries.
Red Light Cameras in Other Cities
Approximately 50 communities in the United States were using red light
cameras when the Town Council approved their use in Cary.
Nationwide each year, drivers who run red lights are responsible for an
estimated 260,000 crashes resulting in approximately 200,000 injuries
and 800 deaths. Cities across the country have reported fewer citations
and crashes at intersections with the cameras.Charlotte was the first
city in North Carolina to install red light cameras.
See
an August 2004 city of Greensboro
report about the effectiveness of red light cameras.
Education campaign
In conjunction with the camera system, the Town of Cary educates drivers
about the dangers of running red lights.
More
on traffic signals in Cary
Contacts
For questions about citations
or other red light camera issues:
Brad Hudson
Project manager-SafeLight Cary
Cary Police Department
PO Box 8005
Cary, NC 27512-8005
(919) 462-3430
Brad.Hudson@townofcary.org
Chris Davis
Records and Accreditation Manager
Cary Police Department
(919) 462-3813
(919) 460-4904 (fax)
Chris.Davis@townofcary.org