The city of Santa Clarita’s 5-year contract with Redflex for red light cameras at seven intersections is up for renewal on April 1.

The City of Santa Clarita’s five-year contract with Redflex, which provides the seven red light cameras at local intersections, comes up for renewal on April 1.

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Initially, City Manager Ken Striplin would have renewed the contract, but due to a request from the City Council, the issue is scheduled to be discussed at the March 25 council meeting, said City Traffic Engineer Andrew Yi

Since the cameras were installed in 2004, there has been a significant decrease in the number of left- and right-turn broadside collisions, which often happen when someone violates a red light, Yi said.

A study comparing the three years prior to the implementation of red light cameras and six years afterward showed a 60 percent decrease, annually, Yi said.

Red light running incidents have also gone down by 71 percent, according to the city’s website.

“It is a safety device,” Yi said. “That’s the reason we put it in and (are) trying to change people’s behavior, being more responsible for traffic laws and control.”

The nature and length of the contract renewal are yet to be determined, and Yi said that a staff recommendation will be included in the agenda prior to the March 25 council meeting.

During the last five fiscal years, the city has nearly broken even between the costs and the revenue from the red light cameras.

The typical red light ticket is $490, an amount set by the state Legislature and Los Angeles County Superior Court, Yi said.

Approximately 6,600 approved violation notices are issued per year, or 18 per day, bringing in an average of $667,000 in revenues annually.

The red light cameras cost the city $569,000 each year.

But that ratio could change in coming months.

“There is a potential for revenue to decrease if new state laws are enacted that affect revenue distribution to the city,” Yi said.

He said that the council was prompted to put the contract renewal on the agenda because of comments they have received from residents.

There will be an additional opportunity for the public to comment on the issue during the council meeting.

The city currently has red light cameras at the seven following intersections.

• Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road
• McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard
• McBean Parkway and Magic Mountain Parkway
• McBean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road
• Bouquet Canyon Road and Newhall Ranch Road
• Bouquet Canyon Road and Seco Canyon Road
• Soledad Canyon Road and Whites Canyon Road

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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