Photo radar debate continues

by Bob McClay/News-Talk 92.3 KTAR (November 19th, 2009 @ 3:46pm)

Policy >>

Comments:18

PHOENIX - The debate continues over whether photo enforcement cameras should stay or go.

As Redflex takes over running red light cameras at 10 Phoenix intersections, Shawn Dow of Arizona Citizens Against Photo Radar says the cameras should go.

"Rear-end collisions skyrocket wherever they put the cameras and in Pinal County fatalities doubled from 12 to 24," he said, "and that's why the sheriff had them immediately removed."

Redflex's Jay Heiler, however, says the cameras have led to fewer accidents.

"Twenty-point-four percent reduction in property damage collisions, 22.8 percent in injury collisions and 21.8 percent in fatal collisions in the Phoenix area," he said of the reduction in accidents.

Opponents of photo radar are circulating petitions to push the issue on the November 2010 ballot, but in the meantime some are wearing masks while they're driving so that the cameras cannot capture their faces.

Last 5 Comments

• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  I feel better.

  Dan H

  All I can see photo radar is doing to planet earth is one thing. We are killing the planet at a faster rate. Whenever you approach a photo radar van of fix site traffic slows down. Once past these photo radar sites traffics picks back up. Thus using more fossil fuels. That means we pump more planet killing gases into the planet. I feel better.

  52057
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Like the idea but

  sammy93

  I want to know who is watching those guys in the speed camera vans or SUV,? making sure they are not getting trigger happy.I travel along I-10 going west to Goodyear,at Avondale blvd there is a van sitting there( am rush hour) there has been times when drivers have been snapped going around 55-65 miles per hour(limit is 55)but there are time when some are going way faster than that and nothing happens.My question is who is watching them to make sure they are not getting trigger happy just to fill their coffers and what is the max you can go before your picture is taken?

  52047
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Of course Redflex's mouthpiece

  Olphart

  is going to say that the cameras lower accidents, but AAA, who has NO FINANCIAL STAKE in these cameras says just the opposite. Who ya' gonna believe? Redflex has been caught making up their own statistics before.

  51956
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  The "Masks"

  NinjaLlama

  I'm not sure what to say about the print-out Guy Fawkes masks, but in the interest of covering our own butts if something happens, this is not related to the Scientology protests in any way. -Phoenix Anonymous Citizens Critical of Scientology

  51932
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Accidents??

  I'm4Sanity

  Haven't seen or heard of any accidents directly related to Photo Radar and Red Light Cameras. I think it's a great idea to have them since the State doesn't seem to have the funds for more DPS officers which is what we really need. I just throw the tickets into the shredder anyway. There is a problem on our streets with wreckless driving and something should be done. It always seems to really anger the ones who want to drive like idiots.

  51925
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