Shelbyville takes closer look at traffic cameras

This type of automated camera could be keeping an eye on Shelbyville traffic in an effort to reduce accidents. (Image from redflex.com) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

It's a concept that nearby Murfreesboro has used to cut down on accidents, and now its smaller neighbor -- Shelbyville -- will take a look at the idea.

Shelbyville's city council will be examining the concept of an automated red light violation monitoring system that it is hoped will make the streets safer.

City officials say the best thing about the system is that it can be installed with no cost to the city.

Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia will give city council members a chance to tentatively see how the system works on Nov. 24, according to city manager Ed Craig, who said the idea is just in a "pre-proposal" mode at this point.

Members of Shelbyville Police Department, along with Mayor Wallace Cartwright and Craig, have already seen a demonstration of the system, which was met with approval, Craig said.

"The point of the program is to save lives, to change behavior," Craig noted.

Craig explained that Redflex would bear all of the operating and capital costs and recover funds through a portion of the ticket proceeds.

"In the beginning, they would get a large portion of the ticket," Craig said. "After it reaches a certain level ... the city would be sharing the tickets 50/50 with the company."

Twenty states now have Redflex cameras and five Tennessee cities -- Jonesborough, Kingsport, Mount Carmel, Oak Ridge and Selmer -- are using the company's system. Redflex has been installing the systems since 1986, Craig said.

Redflex installs the camera detection units at a number of locations and records anyone who either runs a red light or speeds through an intersection. The person committing the offense would get a ticket in the mail for $50, Craig said. The ticket would not go on someone's driving record, he added.

If approved and installed, a high amount of publicity would take place to get local motorists to change their driving behavior, Craig said. The city would have to adopt an ordinance that would allow the system to operate, he added.

However, a government watchdog organization, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, recently called the argument that red light cameras increases safety "preposterous."

"The only thing that increases is the amount of money going from the pockets of drivers into the pockets of the cities and the red light camera companies," said Justin Owen, director of legal policy at the center and co-author of the report on the cameras.

Murfreesboro has cameras at six intersections, and has been issuing $50 citations since July 5. Murfreesboro has contracted with Maryland-based Traffipax to install and maintain the camera equipment, and to issue citations and collect payments.

Like the proposal from Redflex, Traffipax owns the cameras, and Murfreesboro pays the company $31,882 per month for the use of the cameras, plus $11 out of each $50 fine paid.

Any money left over would go into the city's general fund, but so far, the city's in the red. Murfreesboro received 510 payments in August, for a total of $25,500. Subtract the $11 per payment that goes to Traffipax, and the total is $19,890, a shortfall of nearly $12,000 for the first month.

Craig said Redflex has demonstrated that towns that use the system have seen the number of traffic accidents "nosedive." He added that the city needs to look at other companies that provide the same system as well.

"It was very impressive to sit and watch the video and watch these cars run through red lights," Craig said. "It was scary."

-- Editor John Philleo contributed to this report.