Salem, Ore. — With traffic safety as a priority, the photo enforcement program in Salem is expanding to include two high-volume intersections starting Monday, July 1.
“Our digital red light and speed enforcement programs are important tools to change driver behavior and make our streets safer,” said Deputy Chief Treven Upkes of the Field Operations Division.
Data from the existing sites indicates a steady decrease in both crashes and citations issued, even though we have experienced an overall increase in traffic volume within the city since the program was implemented in 2008.
Currently, the automated system exists at the following Salem intersections:
- Mission at 25th STS SE
- Commercial at Marion STS NE
- Silverton at Fisher RDS NE
- Center ST at Hawthorne AV NE
- Commercial ST at Madrona AV SE
- Commercial ST at Kuebler BV SE
Four of the six sites already capture red light and speeding violations. The technology to detect speed violations was implemented over time, starting at the Silverton RD site in 2019. Three more locations were added to the system in 2020.
Next week, vehicle speed detection will be enabled at the first two listed intersections that are shared with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) since they are also designated as state highways. “Our thanks to ODOT for their traffic safety partnership over the years and their assistance in activating the system at the Mission and Commercial Street locations,” added Upkes.
Each location has four cameras connected to the traffic signal which automatically detects whether the vehicle stops for the red light or exceeds the posted speed limit. A recording of any violation detected by the system is verified by a police department staff member before a citation is sent to the vehicle’s registered owner, notifying them of the incident.
For the first month, between July 1 and 31, the system will issue only warnings to those drivers who violate the speed rule through those intersections. A provision in the Oregon statute concerning photo enforcement states citations will be issued for drivers whose speed is 11 mph over the speed limit while traveling through an intersection on a green light.
Upkes concluded, “Preventing collisions and other consequences due to speed is essential to keep Salem streets safe for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.”
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