E-Mail News Alerts Get breaking news and daily headlines. Browse all e-mail newsletters

Red-Light Camera Ruling Delayed

Hedgecock Takes Issue To Washington

Judge Ronald Styn had said earlier that he would rule on the case by the end of July. Tuesday the judge said that he needed more time, and gave no indication of when the ruling might come. 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. In the meantime, the red-light camera controversy was the focus of a federal hearing in Washington Tuesday. KOGO radio talk show host Roger Hedgecock (pictured, above) 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:

• July 25, 2001: Traffic Camera Case Ruling Expected Soon
• July 24, 2001: 10 Editorial: Red Light Cameras
• July 19, 2001: Arguments Conclude In Traffic Camera Case
• July 15, 2001: Police Crack Down On Red Light Runners
• July 11, 2001: Battle Continues Over Red-Light Cameras
• July 6, 2001: Testimony Resumes In Traffic Camera Case
• July 3, 2001: Pending Camera Tickets Thrown Out
• June 26, 2001: Study: Traffic Cameras Operate To Make Money
• June 14, 2001: Red Light Cameras Turned Off
• June 12, 2001: San Diegans Sue Maker Of Traffic Cameras
• June 5, 2001: Allegations Against Red Light Cameras Mount
• June 3, 2001: Red Light Camera Ticket Hotline Available
• May 31, 2001: Councilmember: Pull Plug On Red Light Cameras
• May 31, 2001: San Diego To Audit Red Light Photo Cameras
• May 30, 2001: Four Red Light Cameras May Be Inaccurate

Copyright 2007 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.