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C ITY OF A LBANY

C OMMON C OUNCIL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
Contact: Judd Krasher
Phone: 364-5006
E-mail: CouncilmanKrasher@outlook.com
ALBANY COMMON COUNCIL MEMBERS CALL FOR SIGNIFICANT
REFORM OF ALBANYS RED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM
Today, Albany Common Council Members Judd Krasher (11th Ward), Ronald Bailey
(3rd Ward), Frank Commisso, Jr. (15th Ward) and Jack Flynn (8th Ward) called for
significant reform of the City of Albanys red light camera program prior to entering into
an agreement with a red light camera vendor.
Council Members Krasher, Bailey, Commisso and Flynn are sponsors of Ordinance
51.121.14, which would make common sense, critical changes to the Citys red light
camera law. The changes are necessary to help ensure that, when the cameras are
operational, the system is fair, transparent, and deters predatory ticketing. Changes must
be made to conform to national standards and to make certain that the cameras actually
reduce accidents. The reforms include:

requiring an educational grace period when the cameras are first activated.

Substantive public education and establishing a period of time when warning


citations are issued for citizens to avoid unjust assessment of fines are crucial.

requiring four second yellow light durations at all intersections where a red light

camera exists so that residents can feel confident they are not being deceived.
Yellow light durations have been shortened in other cities in an effort to
increase revenue and the residents of Albany should feel confident that such
practices will not happen here.

requiring the contract with a vendor to explicitly include safety standards and what the
Citys goals are for increased safety at the selected intersections. The vendor
should be involved in ongoing monitoring of safety outcomes and such data
should be made available to the public. The City and the vendor will be able to
react in a timely fashion if the cameras are not reducing accidents at an
intersection. Many municipalities have tied a decrease in traffic accidents to
vendor payments.

Council Member Krasher said, Red light cameras are the law in Albany. But, before the
cameras are operational, we have a responsibility to our constituents to make sure the
program is rolled out sensibly. We need to do all we can to avoid the problems
municipalities across the country have had with red light cameras. We must be proactive
and learn from the mistakes of others.
Council Member Bailey said, We must make sure public safety is first and avoid
problems other municipalities across the country are going through. This program cannot
be used for the purpose of making money. That would be a huge disservice to my
constituents.
Council Member Commisso said, Council Members have a duty to proactively make
sure protections are in place for Albany residents rather than reacting after problems have
occurred. These changes are not unique and many municipalities with these cameras have
put sensible protections in place.
Council Member Flynn said, Albany residents will need time to adjust to the use of red
light cameras and they may need to change their driving habits. A time period of warning
citations will improve their experience with the cameras and is the recommended
standard when red light cameras are installed.
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The entire ordinance can be found at the following link:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/255307215/51-121-14-RLC-Reform

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