The City Council late Wednesday approved a contract that calls for adding cameras at four city intersections to catch drivers who run red lights.
A last-minute effort by Councilor Matthew Ortiz to amend the ordinance to make it easier for the city to cancel the program was defeated.
The council then voted 5-3 to approve an ordinance authorizing a contract with a private firm to run the program, beginning as soon as 90 days.
Councilors Ron Trujillo, Rebecca Wurzburger, Chris Calvert, Miguel Chavez and Rosemary Romero voted yes, while Ortiz, Carmichael Dominguez and Patti Bushee voted no.
"I believe you are going to see driving habits in this town change," said Trujillo, the chief advocate of the program.
Santa Fe Police Chief Eric Johnson was pleased with the decision.
"To me it's not about generating revenue. It's about adding another tool to keep our streets safe," he said. "There are certain intersections where you need to wait two or three seconds before going."
The cameras are scheduled to be installed at the four intersections with the most crashes — Cerrillos Road and St. Michael's Drive, Cerrillos and St. Francis Drive, Cerrillos and Richards Avenue, and Cerrillos and Zafarano Drive.
A first-time offender will pay $66. Second-time offenders within two years will pay $117. A third violation would be $168.
The ordinance also approves the use of a mobile speed trap that will take pictures of speeding motorists and send them a fine in the mail.
An Arizona company, Redflex Traffic Systems, will install the cameras and run the system without any capital investment from the city. The city would pay the company a portion of the revenue it gains from the tickets, which is spelled out in a tiered system that allows the city to keep more money as the number of citations increases.
A police officer would receive footage from each of the cameras each day and decide whether a citation should be issued. If a driver wants to dispute the ticket, the motorist can ask for a hearing. The city manager would appoint a bar-certified lawyer as a hearing officer, said Police Capt. Anthony Robbin.
However, a bill that has passed the state Senate and is now being considered by the state House Appropriations and Finance Committee could change things significantly. If it passes, the state could take 50 percent of the revenue the city receives from the program, as well as cap any ticket issued through use of a camera at $100.
Albuquerque and Las Cruces both have red-light camera programs.
IF YOU'RE CAUGHT
The Santa Fe Traffic Operations Program authorizes cameras at four
intersections to detect red-light runners, as well as a mobile van to
catch speeders. Law breakers face the following:
Red-light violations
- First offense: $66
- Second offense (within two years of the first): $117
- Third offense: (within two years of the first): $168
Speeding violations
- Up to 10 mph over the limit: $86
- Between 16 mph and 20 mph: $186
- Between 21 mph and 25 mph: $256
- Between 26 mph and 30 mph: $306
- Between 31 mph and 35 mph: $356
- More than 35 mph: $456
Note: If the violator doesn't pay or address the citation within 35
days, a $25 late fee will be assessed. If the violation remains
unaddressed after 20 more days, the city can pursue "all remedies" to
collect the fine, including seizing the vehicle.
