Red Light Camera Enforcement
NPD Traffic Unit
May 3, 2022
Background
Report is in response to request from Council.
Nationwide in 2019 143,000 people were injured in running red light crashes In Napa there were 1,207 injury collisions between 2016 and 2020 11% were due to signal/sign violation
Napa is the 2nd most dangerous city out of 105 similar sized cities for traffic safety
Napa Traffic Facts
Population 79,000
Monthly Traffic Estimates
680,000 on Soscol Avenue
520,000 on First Street
Police Traffic unit disbanded in 2020
Currently 2 motor officers and one motor sergeant
255 citations of all types issued in March
Chance of getting a citation is .04%
Demand for enforcement
Traffic enforcement is among the most common community driven complaints at the police department Consistently ranks high in surveys
Slow Down Napa, a grass roots network of residents, supports enforcement Department is applying for a traffic grant, but department does not have the resources to meet the demand.
Red Light Cameras
Cameras at high injury intersections
Cameras capture red light violations
Citation is issued by NPD employee
Driver and judge has access to video
Due process follows current procedure
No cost to contest
Can be via mail (written declaration)
Or court trial
Issuer must appear in court
Red Light Cameras
Studies show use of red light cameras reduce both red light running fatal crashes and all other types of fatal crashes Napa had red light program 2009-2017
Crashes reduced considerably at all locations (25%-57% reduction) Halo effect reduced crashes citywide
Moved to 15 out of 102 in State Ranking
Recommended Action
Staff find red light cameras to be an effective and efficient tool to lower injury, fatal accidents and increase traffic safety citywide.
Recommend Council direct staff to conduct a formal request for proposals and return with contract for approval.
Questions?