Red light Enforcement
Enforcement lights
A simple tool for safer highways.
Prepared by Lieutenant Steven Burch (ret.)
Clearwater Police Department
Problem
• Tampa Bay area is one of the worst
locations in the nation for red light running.
• In 2000, 114 motorists were killed in
Florida due to red light running.
• Red light running is one of several
violations associated with aggressive
driving.
Judicial Requirements
• Officer must see the color of the light facing
the violator.
• Officer must be able to see the stop bar.
• The officer must be able to testify to the
violator’s vehicle and its distance from the
stop bar at the time of the red signal.
Traditional Enforcement Method
• Officers traveling the
same direction of the
violator, see violation
and attempt to effect a
stop.
• Officers monitoring a
direction see a
violation and attempt a
stop.
• Required officers to
use lights and siren to
attempt to clear cross
traffic.
• Dangerous to the
officers and other
motorists.
Observer Method
• Spotter officer sets up • Spotter must “hand
to monitor one
off” the vehicle to the
specific direction of an
chase car.
intersection.
• Spotter is limited by
• “Chase” officers set up
the number of chase
“downstream” of the
cars.
intersection.
• Generally can only
• Spotter calls out
monitor one direction
violators to chase
at a time.
car(s).
Enforcement lights
• Richardson Texas has 42 intersections
equipped with enforcement lights.
• Seven additional cities in Texas use this
technology.
• Inexpensive, non intrusive technology -no
pictures.
• All red light violators will face the same
penalty.
Enforcement Lights
• White light fixture is • Officers can safely
wired into the red
conduct enforcement.
circuit of the signal
• Allows for opportunistic
head.
enforcement.
• Power to the red light
• Officers can monitor
sends power to the
more then one direction
white enforcement
at a time.
light.
• Officers can tell signal
color from different
angles.
Installation Process
• Joint assessment team of local law
enforcement and engineers evaluate each
location.
• Locations must have a history of red light
violations.
• Locations must facilitate safe access to the
violator and a clear view of the stop bar.
• Clearwater currently uses Pelco SM-028742-SS Fixtures.
Guidelines
• Officers must understand the concept and
basic layout of each intersection.
• For preplanned operations the officers
should observe the intersection before
conducting enforcement.
• Check to ensure all red lights are
coordinated with the proper enforcement
light.
Guidelines Continued
• Set up where both the enforcement light and
stop bar for the direction monitored can be
seen.
• Monitor the enforcement light, when it
activates, shift focus to the stop to detect a
violator.
• Safely effect the stop.
Guidelines Continued
• After familiarization, an officer may
conduct opportunistic enforcement when
violations occur.
• In these cases Officers should return to
location to confirm the system is working in
the proper order.
US 19 and SR 60
Enforcement Light SB Exit
lane
US 19
Flex Sticks
Enforcement Light
SR60 EB left turn lane
Illuminated
Stop Bar
SR 60
Results
• Between August 31 and December 31, 2001
The Department has issued over 800 red
light citations.
• Observational surveys have noted a 50.4 %
decrease in red light running incidents at US
19 and SR 60.
• As result of the use of enforcement lights and
increased traffic enforcement, the City of
Clearwater realized a 1.3 percent decrease in
traffic crashes in 2002.
Results continued
• FDOT has adopted the enforcement light concept
as part of the five year safety plan.
• In late 2002, two additional intersections were
added. In 2003, traffic crashes in Clearwater
dropped 6.7 percent.
• In 2004, 8 additional intersections were added in
Clearwater. Three more are slated for installation
• Currently, there 100 intersections covered by
enforcement lights in the Tampa Bay area.
Contact Information
Chief Steven Burch
Crystal River Police Department
123 NW Highway 19
Crystal River, Fl 34428
(352)795-4241
[email protected]