Red-Light Camera Ruling Expected Soon

Lawsuit Challenges Legitimacy Of Tickets

POSTED: 10:13 am PDT August 14, 2001

UPDATED: 1:35 pm PDT August 14, 2001

A judge could make his decision Tuesday in a local class-action lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of nearly 300 red-light camera tickets, according to 10News. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have asked the judge to dismiss the tickets, claiming that the system was set up to trap drivers and to make money for the city, and that improving safety was not the first priority. San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano said that the cameras have improved safety, and that red-light infractions have dropped 45 percent since the cameras were installed. Meanwhile, the red-light camera controversy was the focus of a federal hearing in Washington two weeks ago.

Hedgecock Testifies Before Congress Are Red Light Cameras Fair?

KOGO radio talk show host Roger Hedgecock (pictured, left) spoke on the issue before a House of Representatives sub-committee looking into the controversy nationwide. The former mayor told lawmakers that Lockheed Martin, the contractor that operates the cameras, failed to place them at the ten most dangerous intersections, as determined by a city survey. Hedgecock said that the contractor chose intersections with short yellow lights, and moved Sensors at three of the intersections in order to issue tickets to the most drivers possible. For each $271 ticket issued, Lockheed Martin is paid $70. "In San Diego, California, this program is about money, not safety," Hedgecock said. The entire system was shut off several months ago, pending an audit by the city. Before they were turned off, the 19 red-light cameras in the city were bringing in about $3 million per year. The city was spending about $1 million to maintain the system. Red-light cameras are used in about 50 cities nationwide. Previous Stories: