Solana Beach's New Red Light Cameras Initiation Ceremony Announced

SOLANA BEACH, Calif.--Sept. 28, 2004--The City of Solana Beach is planning an initiation ceremony for the City's new installation of new Red Light Enforcement Cameras on Wednesday, October 5, 2004, at 4:30 p.m., with the location of the ceremonial "flip of the switch" by the Solana Beach City Council planned at the intersection of Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Highway 101.

In December 2003, the Solana Beach City Council authorized an agreement with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. to implement a red light photo enforcement program along with the City law enforcement services, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. A total of three (3) intersections were subsequently approved by the City Council on June 1, 2004, for installation of red light photo equipment to catch potential red light violators who don't obey traffic signals at intersections.

Red light photo enforcement is used in several cities throughout the nation and in other countries, and is a proven deterrent to traffic accidents by increasing motorist awareness at targeted intersections. Violators will pay $341 dollars per ticket with each individual violation reviewed by a San Diego County Sheriff's Officer prior to the citation being issued. Drivers who receive photo red light tickets have all of the same rights that come with any traffic violation. A 30-day operational warning period is required by state law prior to scheduled enforcement of violators.

In Solana Beach, installation of the new technology is scheduled initially at two intersections, Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Highway 101 intersection, and the intersection of Lomas Santa Fe and Solana Hills Drive. A third intersection at Lomas Santa Fe and Stevens Avenue has also been approved for installation of red light photo/video enforcement equipment at a later date. Any future intersections earmarked for red light enforcement program is subject to review and approval by the City Council. The neighboring cities of Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside, and Vista have also approved and implemented a red light photo enforcement program under similar agreements with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc.

For more program information, please contact the City of Solana Beach at 858-720-2400.