Loma Linda and the city of Corona have asked for investigations into the public safety of red light cameras versus the collection of revenue.
Loma Linda City Councilman Rhodes Rigsby is following the lead of the city of Corona in urging city staff members to consider removing red light cameras from city intersections and extending the timing on yellow lights.
Loma Linda City Manager and Public Works Director T. Jarb Thaipejir stated, “Rigsby asked the city attorney to look and see if the timing of the yellow lights can be changed, and we have to respond and answer his questions.”
Thaipejir said if the investigation by the city attorney proves in Rigsby’s favor, the city would terminate the three-and-a-half-year contract with RedFlex Traffic Systems, which installed the red light cameras.
The council in the city of Corona is arguing whether or not to reduce the fine for red-light violations.
Thaipejir claimed that Loma Linda has been forced to send out more layoff notices to city employees and extend early retirement to others, but did not state the affect reduced red light fines would have on the city.
Public safety and revenue from violators that only roll the stop light is the on-going debate in both southern California cities.
Councilman Rigsby found red-light cameras contribute to crashes.
He told the Press Enterprise, “Motorists slam on brakes and are rear-ended by trailing cars.”
By allowing yellow lights to operate a second longer, or lights to stay red a second longer it would result in fewer accidents.
Other council members receive monthly complaints form patrons, thus proving the cameras are disliked.
The entire council does not agree on this issue.
A full length investigation into the agreement with RedFlex Traffic Systems and intersection accident reports was called for in last week’s city council meeting on September 22.
Louis Dettorre can be reached at ldettorre@publicceo.com
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