[Press Release] : ‘Respect the Red’ for safer streets

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Tony St. Romaine, Assistant City Manager - (573) 874-7721 or
Ken Burton, Chief of Police - (573) 874-7404 or Toni Messina, Public
Communications Director - (573) 874-7660 

‘Respect the Red’ for safer streets

COLUMBIA, MO (August 4, 2009) - The city of Columbia started the
“warning” phase of red light camera photo enforcement this
morning at 12:01 a.m. A camera is capturing video and still images of
drivers who run red lights in the northbound lane at the Providence Road
- Broadway intersection. A camera system will be installed at Stadium
Boulevard and Worley Street in the coming days.

“Drivers should respect red lights, not just at these intersections
but at all of them,” said Assistant Manager Tony St. Romaine, the
city’s red light camera project leader. “Too many times, drivers
think that a red light is merely suggested behavior, but it’s the law
and one of the best and safest things you can do for yourself and
others.”

A warning period will continue for 30 days. During that time, notices
of violation will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle that
ran the red light. Warning notices will include photos of the vehicle in
violation, the license plate and the driver’s face. Actual enforcement
will start 30 days later, with traffic citations being mailed to the
vehicle’s registered owner.

Each photo-enforced intersection approach will be clearly marked with
signs, posted not more than 300 feet from the location of the camera.
Trained Columbia Police staff members will review all photographs and
video images captured by the camera and approve citations only where
it’s clear that the driver entered the intersection on a red light.


A driver who believes that the ticket was issued in error must appear
in court on the arraignment date provided in the citation. The municipal
court may punish a red light violation by a fine from $1 - $500; by up
to three months’ imprisonment; or by a fine and imprisonment. If the
violation does not involve an accident, the driver may plead guilty and
pay a total fine and court costs of $120 through the city Traffic
Violations Bureau.

The Columbia City Council authorized the implementation of the red
light cameras on Aug. 21, 2006. Plans call for a total of 16 cameras at
various locations in the coming months.

Residents who have questions about red light photo enforcement can call
the Columbia Police Department at 573-874-7652 or check the city’s Web
site at www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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