Red light cameras go up on Olive Blvd. Monday

Officials for the Creve Coeur Police Department said that their latest endeavor is an extended effort to improve public safety. A new red light camera will be installed March 15 at the intersection of Olive Blvd. and North New Ballas Road.

Creve Coeur Public Information Officer Melissa Weiss said that 29,500 violations have been issued since the city voted to install photo enforcement at various intersections in 2007.

Officials said that the total revenue raised from the cameras from October 2007 to March 2010 is $2,477,584. Officials said that the cost to operate the program is $1,366,177. The city has received $1,111,407 and officials said that revenue is used to offset operating costs of the police department.

Violators at the new enforcement intersection will receive a warning notice for seven days, until March 21. Beginning on March 22, violation notices will be issued.

The fine for a red light violation in the city is the same as an officer-observed violation, $100. Just like a parking ticket, the registered owner and not necessarily the driver will be responsible for the violation notice. Under this format, no points would be assessed against the vehicle owner's license.

The city will continue to contract with American Traffic Solutions to administer the system.
Creve Coeur consistently ranks among the communities having the most car crashes. Many of those accidents occur at intersections with electric signals.

Creve Coeur Police Sgt. Jon Romas said officers completed 125 accident reports between 2007-09 where a traffic signal or sign violation was found to be a "probable contributing circumstance." Out of these, 49 people were injured.

Romas said that since 2004-06, when there were no red light cameras in the city, there has been a 45 percent decrease of injury accidents. Officials said they also saw an overall decrease in collisions.

"Furthermore, the city of Creve Coeur has seen a 40 percent decrease in the amount of violations notices issued at intersections where automated enforcement exists," Romas said in a statement.

Creve Coeur Police Chief Glenn Eidman echoed those sentiments, saying this program increases the safety of drivers and pedestrians in the city.