Red Light Camera Update

The Dalton Police Department would like to remind motorists to obey all traffic lights within the city in hopes of increasing safety and reducing accidents.  The department would also like to remind motorists to buckle up and obey all posted speed limits.

Beginning Saturday, February 23rd warnings will no longer be sent to motorists who run a red light at the intersection of Shugart Road and Highway 41.  On that date, citations will be sent in place of warnings.  The photo enforcement began on January 23rd with a 30-day warning period.  The citations will be sent to the registered owners of any vehicle caught on camera running a red light.

Comments

[maribela]

Maybe this should be run in the paper AGAIN! Most people either forgot,don't know or are out of town. Technically,making a right turn on a redlight is okay unless indicated.
This is causing some problems...

[vicky l arp]

i think these cameras are just knit picking. i turned right on red, while a tractor and trailer was turning left, so there for, no one could come toward me.we all do it, even cops.i paid the 70.00 but this ticket was to high and send to me for no reason.

[DPD]

All you have to do is stop before turning. Some would say that all traffic laws are nitpitcking. The police department does not set the fine amounts.

[Tonya]

I'm not sure why people gripe about the cameras. I go through this intersection every day and I can't tell you how many close calls I've had from people running the light. It doesn't hurt anyone to come to a stop and then make your right turn. I hope to see the cameras come back to Abutment and Walnut soon too!

[Mary Rogers]

Re: The camera at Shugart rd. My son was also "caught" turning rt on red, although the close up of the picture of his tag clearly shows his brake light on, while he is stopped behind the white line, as the other lane beside him shows folks turning left at the time he turned right. There should indeed be a sign posted "No turn on red". $70 is not a fair fine. I wonder how many citations/money has been generated from that one redlight?

[DPD]

If you use the information on the ticket to view the video on the website, you should see that the vehicle did not stop. The video quality is quite clear. The still photo on the citation is mainly for vehicle identification. If your son feels he did stop, he should contact the court to hear his case. The citation is for not stopping during the right turn, not for "not turn on red".

[kblaylock]

I think the camaras at the red lights are rediculous and nothing but money grubbing. If there is no right turn on red then there needs to be signs at the light.

[DPD]

Well, the cameras actually don't make much money for the City of Dalton. After you take out the costs involved with maintaining and running the equipment and administering the program, the city basically breaks even. The idea of the red light camera program isn't making money, it's about promoting safety at these intersections. If you check out the data posted to the Dalton Police Blog on September 23rd (http://www.daltonpdblog.org/2008/09/dalton-police-r.html) you see that the program appears to be accomplishing that goal. Violations are down at the Thornton/Waugh location after a year of operation, and violations are trending downward at the US 41/Shugart location after six months of operation. And, again, the department doesn't set the amount for the fine.

In addition, right turn on red IS allowed unless it is otherwise posted by a sign. Tickets are not given to drivers who turn right on red IF they come to a complete stop before making that turn. If you perform a "rolling stop" as you turn right onto US 41 from Shugart Road, it's a violation. If you come to a full and complete stop before proceeding, it's not.

There's been some confusion in the Dalton Daily Citizen about turning right from US 41 Eastbound onto Shugart Road. There is a sign clearly posted that says "Keep Moving". A right-turn-only lane forms, and that particular right turn lane doesn't stop, it merges into Shugart Road. There's no stop line, and drivers don't have to stop for that turn. Tickets aren't being issued for that lane. Hope that clears up any confusion.

[John Mays]

If the true reason is for safety as the DPD says, [the red light camera and violation for making a right turn on red at the Shugurt intersection light with out stopping] and not for the reason of producing revenue, then, what is the issue with Public Works for not installing a no turn on red light with out coming to a complete stop....sign that all could see...wouldn't cost more than a hundred dollars. The sign is not there, that's what tells you the camera is to produce revenue. If everyone would write the DOT or the Governor, maybe we could get some reasonable action out of Dalton Commissioners. Is it to much to ask of our leaders to communicate whoops..sorry....not a requirement for holding office.

One other thing, each approach is supposed to be identified as a camera monitoring approach. Also, the fine is controlled by DPD or the commissioners, unlike what some other write in said. The State sets the maximum not the minimum.

[DPD]

DPD has no problem asking public works to place a sign similar to the big one at Waugh/Thornton. Since this intersection is controlled by the GA DOT, it may be a little more complicated on exact placement of the sign. The fine amount, just like every other fine in Dalton, is set by the Municipal Court, not the DPD or "commission". In addition, NO fine monies go the the DPD. All fine monies are collected by the court, then go to the city general fund.

[Jessica]

I had to pay the $70 on my birthday, and the woman told me that it doesn't count against you or your insurance, it doesn't go on your record at all. My break lights were seen in the pictures also, and all the cars in front and behind me went, too. I don't know how many times I have done this, but I am now afraid to look in the mail box in fear of having to pay an in debt Dalton more money. Happy birthday with love "Dalton".

[maribela]

Are we still whining about this? IT REALLY IS SIMPLE: Come to a complete stop and then go! Sheesh. Personally,I wait till the light is red because I once paid three of those things in one week and was not amused!
Wow,Daltonians whine a lot,don't you lot? There really is a very simple solution for this: WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN! The whining, I'm sure is getting to the DPD especially since they have nothing to do with the sign and the rules governing the intersection.
Grow the bloody heck up!

[Brittany]

I got one of these today. I have done the same thing at that light numerous times.
I thought u were supposed to keep moving here like at the one turning onto shugart road.
It really sucks oweing 70.00 right around xmas time

[Benjamin Wright]

A Texas judge said the company running a red-light camera was acting illegally because it did not have a private investigator license. On the basis of this ruling, motorists are challenging traffic tickets. New Texas legislation regulating certain electronic legal evidence work is causing problems for robo-cop traffic enforcement. See deails: http://legal-beagle.typepad.com/wrights_legal_beagle/2008/12/e-discovery-forensics-private-investigator-license-for-computer-data-collection-and-assessment.html

[J McCracken]

How do I get a section of a video from one of these cameras. I was in a accident and may need it to prove that I had the right of way. There was a couple of cars that saw it but being cold out they didn't stay around..

[DPD]

My understanding of the system is that the cameras aren’t recording at all times, they start recording when the lights turn yellow and red. But, it’s still possible that one of them may have captured your accident. The best bet for help on that is to call our traffic unit. The number is 706-278-9085, extension 124. You’ll probably have to leave a message, but one of our officers should contact you and see if we have the video that you need.