Small Town News

New traffic system might just make lead foots ease up on that pedal when they hit Superior

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Two sets of Redflex Traffic Systems stationary traffic cameras are permanently up and operating on U.S. 60 in Superior and it is all about safety.

"The whole intent of the program is to get people driving through town to slow down, " said Superior Police Lieutenant Mike Campbell last week. He noted that approximately 13, 000 people die annually in the U.S. from speed related accidents.

He said the system is designed so people will be prudent in speed; it is not for any other purpose. He noted that the area on U.S. 60 that the cameras cover is one of the worst for serious accidents and it is hoped the cameras will help.

The Redflex photo safety program was approved by Superior Town Council in 2009, he said. Delays took place in implementing the program but now fixed cameras are located on eastbound U.S. 60 at Mary Drive and westbound U.S. 60 in the center of town. There are two cameras at each location. One takes a picture of the front of cars exceeding the speed limit and one shoots the license plate from the rear. A sensor is located in the street between the front and rear cameras at both the westbound and eastbound locations.

A certified police officer reviews each case before a citation is issued, Campbell said.

To get everyone used to the idea, there is currently a preliminary 30-day "grace period" for the program. Citations will not be issued during this time period. Instead, letters will go out to anyone photographed allegedly exceeding the posted speed limit advising them of that fact.

A red filter has also been placed on the camera, which are clearly visible on tall poles. The filter aids in ensuring that drivers will not be startled by the flash of the camera.

Campbell said the taxpayers of Superior do not pay anything for this program. Redflex technology is "violator funded, " he said, e.g., the firm receives a percentage of fines paid. Redflex does not charge the town for installing the equipment and absorbs much of the initial cost of the system. According to its website, Redflex Traffic Systems is "the longest consistently-operating company in the growing U.S. road safety camera industry, with more than 20 years of experience in partnering with cities on programs to make an impact on dangerous driving behaviors like red light running and speeding." The site (www.redflex.com) states that Redflex "shares the same vision as your community: to reduce the risk for tragedy on the road." Campbell said that when Redflex did a one-day, 12-hour traffic survey in 2009 prior to the program being presented to the town of Superior, the data showed that 750 vehicles had exceeded the posted speed eastbound at Mary Drive. A total of 217 of these had exceeded the limit by 15 miles per hour. Westbound at the location in the center of town on the highway, 1278 vehicles had exceeded the posted speed, with 430 of them doing so by more than 15 miles per hour.

He said that the cameras will be helpful in a community that does not have the manpower to monitor speed as much as they might in a larger venue. He said this does not replace what the Superior Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety and Pinal County Sheriff's Department are already doing.



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