Residents push for cameras at intersections
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

A westbound minivan slips through the intersection of Sheridan and North Forest while southbound traffic has a green turning arrow in a photograph taken Mond a y. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

In the beginning of the decade there was a big push in Amherst to install traffic cameras to catch drivers who run red lights.

The effort hit a yellow light, before coming to a stop, but a concerned resident recently contacted The Amherst Bee, passionate about the cause and rejuvenating the Amherst Safe Intersections Committee.

"It is truly preventable. It's one type of accident that can be prevented," Amherst resident Lisa Kistner said about running red lights.

While New York City has installed about 100 cameras, that is where the program stopped in the state. Recent reports showed former Gov. Eliot Spitzer was proposing funding for cameras in several sections of the state, including Syracuse and Buffalo, but nothing official has been reported.

According to Kistner, the item is still in the original governor's packet as budget bill No. 6806.

Kistner said Amherst Safe Intersections, founded by the late John W. Kolkmeyer and Anthony Moeser, was pushing for a pilot program in Amherst years ago.

"They wanted to test one or two intersections to see if it made a difference," she said. "Communities in Virginia and Arizona have successful programs; it works."

Amherst Traffic Safety Board Chairman Larry Hunter said he has always supported the installation of cameras at intersections and believes there is a lot misinformation about them and that's why residents protest.

"Unfortunately in our society, a yellow light means to floor it," he said, adding that red light running accounts for many fatal accidents.

Hunter said he has heard accusations that towns and cities purposely reduce the length of the yellow light to catch drivers. In fact, before engineers install a traffic light they calculate the speed limit, the number of lanes and the width of the intersecting roads to determine how long the yellow light should be to allow motorists traveling the speed limit to approach the light and stop. Any changes to the timing by a town or city is illegal, he said.

During signal changes at major intersections, all lights show red for one second. Motorists have the length of a yellow, plus the red, before the other side turns green. When a camera is installed, it's triggered to take a photo when a vehicle crosses a sensor, which is further into the intersection, taking a photo of the rear license plate.

Hunter said he has heard concerns about people being photographed in the car with someone they shouldn't be, but the photo is of only the rear license plate.

He said the average fine in communities with the system is $50 to $150 and that the money goes into maintaining the system.

"They are not used as a fundraiser for the community," Hunter said. "The money is used so taxpayers don't pay for the maintenance and installation." He said it has been suggested that any additional money be used for safe driving programs.

Hunter said the cameras would benefit the Police Department by doing the work of four to five police officers.

"It takes much more time, and is dangerous, for an officer at an intersection, than a camera," Hunter said.

A patrol officer witnessing an offender has to pull into the busy intersection and catch up with the driver, he said.

"The Police Department was in favor of the cameras. The officers could prioritize and be in the community for other complaints," he said.

By being caught on camera and not by an officer, offenders face the same consequences as a parking ticket. Motorists issued a ticket from being caught running a red light on camera are fined, but they receive zero points on their license and their insurance company is not contacted, Hunter said.

Cost seems to always be an issue when suggesting new programs. Hunter said some communities have bought extra boxes, which house the cameras, and installed them at intersections. They then rotate the cameras through the boxes, and drivers don't know which boxes hold the cameras.

Eventually the cameras bring in less money, as drivers start to stop.

"It's not a tax of everybody - those that obey the law have nothing to worry about," Hunter said.

Reports have shown that accidents caused by red light running can be the most dangerous.

"Intersection accidents are usually the ones highest in the number of fatalities," he said.

Hunter said usually the driver has accelerated to get through the intersection, and hitting someone broadside takes the momentum and control away from the victim.

"People don't understand the danger of running a red light. In addition to hitting another motorist, they could hit a pedestrian, someone on a bike," he said.

It is estimated that 95,000 accidents and 1,000 deaths in the United States are attributed to red light running annually.

"The lights have been extremely successful where used," he said, adding that there has been frustration from the town in getting the cameras approved at the state level.

Rochester Assemblyman David Gantt, chairman of the Committee on Transportation, won't take the proposal to the Assembly, Hunter said, adding that he views Gantt as an "obstructionist."

"For some reason he seems to feel such a proposal for upstate New York is not warranted," Hunter said. "The program is simple. It's a good program - people who break the law face the consequences."

The Amherst Bee requested comment from Gantt, who did not return the phone call.

Hunter said he looks at the issue from a safety standpoint, especially for the most dangerous intersections in town - Sheridan Drive and North Forest Road; Maple and North Forest roads; and Youngs Road and Sheridan Drive.

With a town as large as Amherst there are many more intersections that are dangerous and home to chronic red light running.

Amherst Police Capt. Patrick McKenna, of the traffic unit, said most intersections along Sheridan Drive are associated with high numbers of red light running and accidents.

When the Amherst Safe Intersections was formed, the data used was from 2000, when 25 percent of traffic deaths in Amherst were caused by red light running.

To date, 23 states have installed cameras, and side-impact accidents have dropped 25 percent, according to an article in Parade Magazine.

Kistner said she would like to see a group of residents rejuvenate the efforts of Mr. Kolkmeyer and Mr. Moeser.

"Drivers are so far back when they make their decision. It's blatant disregard," she said about running red lights. "It's so preventable; it's selfishness."

Kistner said Mr. Kolkmeyer started the program after his daughter's vehicle was T-boned and she was injured at an intersection in town by someone who ran a red light.

She suggested the cameras can be used as a way to punish these drivers where they will notice it - in the wallet. Fines would hopefully make them think twice.

"I'm sure we have all had close calls ... this issue needs to be addressed," she said.

When the Amherst Safe Intersections Committee was formed it provided pamphlets to residents about the statistics and dangers of running red lights.

Anyone interesting in joining the committee's efforts can call Kistner at 875-0350.