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SPEED ENFORCEMENT VIOLATORS TO RECEIVE WARNINGS INSTEAD OF CITATIONS

Section: Community

SPEED ENFORCEMENT VIOLATORS TO RECEIVE WARNINGS INSTEAD OF CITATIONS

Public Works Will Not Issue Speed Enforcement Violations

From June 23rd Through 29th

New Orleans, LA (July 9, 2008) – Today the City’s Department of Public Works announced that citizens who were captured on one of the City’s nine traffic safety cameras between June 23-29 will not be ticketed. The department was installing speed limit signs at each monitored intersection during that time and will issue warning notices instead of citations.

Red-light, safety cameras located on Carrollton Avenue at Earhart Boulevard, Palmetto Street and Canal Street and on Poydras Street at Loyola Avenue captured 1,799 motorists traveling 45 mile per hour (mph) or above during the week of June 23. The speed limit at all intersections currently monitored is 35 miles per hour (mph).

“Vehicles exceeding the speed limit endanger themselves and everyone on the roadway,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “We are pleased to see an immediate reduction in speed violations, and we expect to see further reductions as citizens become more aware of the safety camera program.”

Drivers exceeding the posted speed limits by ten or more miles per hour through the monitored intersections on green or yellow lights will be issued a citation. Drivers who speed through these intersections on a red light will only receive a citation for red-light running at this time. Prior to implementation of the speed enforcement, Public Works recorded a daily average of 1,388 speeding violations at the nine monitored intersections. After implementation, the number was reduced to daily average of 257 speeding violations.

American Traffic Solutions (ATS) was awarded the contract to administer the program by submitting the lowest bid on May 31, 2007 to the City’s solicitation for bid. ATS will be paid on a tiered scale between $10 and $29 per paid citation each month. Locally, ATS will utilize ETI, Inc., for construction and maintenance services. ETI, Inc. is a New Orleans-based minority firm.

Quick Facts

Violation fines (excluding $35 cost of enforcement fee)

· Speeding (10 – 14 mph over) – $75

· Speeding (15 – 20 mph over) – $125

· Speeding (Greater than 20 mph over) – $200

· Late fee for unpaid violations – $75 (vehicles with unpaid violations past the second notice are boot-eligible and subject to immobilization fees)

For more information, citizens can dial 311 or call (504) 658-2299.

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