Red-light violations in Farragut increase – Knoxville News Sentinel

29. Jul, 2010 0 Comments

Red-light camera violations in Farragut increased slightly during the second quarter of 2010, according to statistics released by the town this week.

Farragut’s three red-light enforcement cameras recorded 7,213 incidents April 1-June 30, resulting in 3,878 citations, said Ben Harkins, traffic enforcement program manager for the town.

The numbers show an increase of 45 incidents recorded and 358 more citations issued compared with first-quarter statistics. The program averaged less than 43 citations per day.

More than 41 percent of the potential violations were rejected although most were violations of state law, Harkins said.

“I’m watching, looking for reasons not to send a citation,” he said.

The most common infraction is failure to stop on red before turning right. If the driver crosses the stop bar, he has technically violated the law, Harkins said. After watching the video of the alleged infraction several times, he makes a decision whether to issue a citation.

If the driver has made a good faith effort to stop before turning right, Harkins said he will not issue a citation. Other reasons for dismissing a citation might include the situation where the yellow light turns red quickly because an emergency vehicle is approaching.

“I really want people to understand the point we’re trying to get across,” he said. “The purpose of the cameras is to get people to stop at red lights and to pay attention when they approach intersections.”

Enforcement cameras are present on Kingston Pike at the intersections of Concord, Campbell Station and Smith roads.

In the next few months, after construction now under way has been completed, cameras will be placed at the intersection of Campbell Station and Grigsby Chapel Road.

The Farragut board of mayor and aldermen recently voted to put all net revenue collected by the town red-light cameras toward community grants.

Hugh G. Willett is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.