City May Renew Red Light Cameras Contract

Thinking of beating out that pesky yellow light while rushing through Wentzville? 

Think again—at least for the next two years. The Wentzville Board of Aldermen may renew the city's red light enforcement program through February 2014. The board is schedule to meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Wentzville currently has operated three red light cameras through Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc.—a Scottsdale, AZ-based company—since February 2007. Those, according to a website, are located at:

• South Outer Road and Wentzville Parkway
• Wentzville Parkway and Meyer Road
• Wentzville Parkway and Interstate 70 South Service Road

The goal of each camera, according to the city, is to reduce the number of traffic accidents at busy intersections by holding those that run red lights accountable by slapping them with a $100 fine for each offense.

But opponents of the cameras say they have no effect on public safety and just represent an easy cash flow for city's that use them.

For ever ticket the city doles out, Redflex receives $48.50 of the fine. In 2011, the city collected more than $121,000 in red light tickets, half of which went to Redflex.

The city projects making more than $64,000 from the program in 2012.

According to the city's website, motorists that receive a ticket are not assessed points against their driving record and can view a video of their violation by going to www.photonotice.com and entering the city code: WNTZVIL.   

Meanwhile, a court decision could render a dozen of red light cameras void, but in the meantime ignoring them might hurt your credit, KMOV reports.

From the report:

A question of inaccuracy against the red light cameras has sprouted the city of St. Louis to appeal a ruling to get rid of them.   A St. Louis judge says the city does not have the power to enact a red light camera ordinance.  The Missouri Supreme Court recently upheld a similar red light camera ordinance in Creve Coeur and nothing came from it.

What do you think? Do you support or oppose red light cameras? Are red light cameras helping public safety throughout Wentzville or just another way to collect money for the city?