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Mesquite to begin red-light enforcement program
By BRIAN PORTER/Managing Editor
Cameras will soon be placed at selected traffic intersections as the city of Mesquite joins the growing list of municipalities participating in red-light traffic enforcement programs.
The Mesquite City Council approved an ordinance and contract permitting the use of photographic red-light enforcement Monday. The decision is part of the city’s initiative to make drivers, cyclists and pedestrians safer on city streets.
Neighboring Garland was a leader in the red-light enforcement program. Rowlett also has them, as do most urban municipalities throughout the state.
Proponents of red-light cameras, like the city of Garland, indicate the cameras help reduce occurrences of motorists running red lights and in turn make streets safer.
The city of Mesquite program will begin with an estimated four to six cameras expected to go online Jan. 2, 2008. Warnings will be communicated during January 2008 and Feb. 1, 2008, citations will includes fines beginning at $75. Tickets will be sent in the mail to the registered vehicle owner in both English and Spanish. There will be both mail-in and on-line payment options.
Previous city traffic safety initiatives in Mesquite include retiming and synchronizing of traffic signals, intersection reconfiguration, street restructuring and the implementation of a 25 mph residential speed limit.
Earlier this year, Allstate Insurance rated Mesquite as the third safest city to drive in the entire region.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Mesquite wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:55 PM:
" I think it is great that Mesquite is working ot keep their roads safe. I saw earlier stories on their place in the Allstate America's Best Drivers Report. Congrats to Allstate for helping us all think about safety! "
Kevin wrote on Aug 21, 2007 3:10 PM:
" Wonderful, we are certainly in need of this program and now prompts me to another question. What has happened to the installation of the new traffic lights at Barnes Bridge and Via Del Norte, this is a major intersection for speeding cars and stop sign runners, not to mention the drag strip up and down Via Del Norte.
What else can be done to slow these yo yo's down. "
Old timer wrote on Aug 22, 2007 2:04 PM:
" Great, another piece of the 1984 world coming to an intersection near you. More freedom (privacy) lost in the name of security.
Why is this not on a ballot? "
David wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:33 AM:
" Just another form of fundraising....along with the speed trap on Pioneer Parkway, our taxes should go down. "
GP wrote on Aug 23, 2007 12:01 PM:
" This is a GREAT move...this will most certainly help reduce all of the anticipated crime (riots/murder/melees/) as well all we know that when this Save our Stores thing "invades" crime will increase oh so much...huh Dave??? "And up next folks we have a GREAT act, the always overblown, Dave from Mesquite"
More sarcasm from yours truly,
GP "
Poteeter wrote on Aug 23, 2007 1:08 PM:
" Wher are we going as a city? We dropped the 4th of July fireworks to be "different" and do the Festival Texas. It was explained that this fit our image (I am thinking rodeo, country like charm, manners, Texas).
But how does this fit our image? This smells like NYC or London with all the cameras. It just does not feel like us.
For the record, I have been smashed by a red light runner but oppose the lights.
Sure wish we were voting for this instead of booze. "
Bob wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:31 AM:
" I have been a strong advocate of red-light enforcement cameras for Mesquite for over 3 years and I applaud the City for taking the initiative to incorporate them into the City. Statistics show that over 55.8% of drivers admit to occasionally running a red light. That figure does not include the other 7%-8% who routinely run lights most of the time. For those who say this is an invasion of your privacy - WRONG!! Our streets in Mesquite are public not private. Sadly a certain portion of our society has taken the use of our streets as if they were designed just for them and not for the other persons - thus forcing many law abiding residents into harms way. If you don't speed and run traffic lights, then the simple truth is you won't get a ticket! I believe that almost everyone reading this has had more than one close call when legally driving up to a traffic light which turns green and as they enter the intersection, they are almost t-boned by a careless driver. That has to end and I truly believe that red-light enforcement cameras will help make our Mesquite City streets safe and at the same time hit the perpetual red-light runners squarely in the pocketbook! I would suggest that the City go one step farther and after the initial grace period, post the names of anyone caught by these cameras more than 2 times in a 60 day period and double the fines. "
Waste wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:38 AM:
" I've witnessed people running redlights with police setting there doing nothing. What good is a camera and picture going to do when none of the other violations are ever enforeced. "
GP wrote on Aug 28, 2007 12:31 PM:
" WOW! In response to the last comment. This is exactly what is needed as a camera won't just be setting/or sitting and watching the law be broken. The cameras will hit folks that opt not to adhere to the law in the proper place. Once the fines are issued this should reduce red light running. Plain and simple. A picture is worth a thousand words. "
DC wrote on Aug 28, 2007 2:57 PM:
" if it works great!!! but has the other commenter, I have sat at a light with a policeman and cars were running the red and he just sat there. His pay is our tax dollars too. "
Nick wrote on Aug 28, 2007 3:43 PM:
" I’m in favor of installing cameras in the council chamber, so that the citizens can cite council members for bad governance. "
Someone Local wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:07 PM:
" I have to say the Intersection Cameras are a good move since the wonderful local law enforcement officers of Mesquite don't enforce it, as a matter of fact I see just as many of them running red lights and stop signs as well as speeding without lights or siren as anyone else. Why should someone, like me, who believes in the law and police officers and the hard job they have, obey the law when the example they set does not reenforce following the law. I have seen this so much in so many cities it makes me sick. I follow the law because God asked us too, because it is safer and it is the right thing to do. I think for the most part the enforcement officers do a fine job, but please officers show us the example and do the right thing all the time. "
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