Globe speed cameras reduce violations by two-thirds;

Red-light running down 38 percent in six months

GLOBE, Ariz. – Last May, during the first month that speed cameras were implemented to help police enforce local traffic laws, nearly 1,300 people were photographed speeding through the peaceful city of Globe.  “This equates to one speeder every 33 minutes rushing through Globe (and travelling at least 11 mph above the speed limit) during May,” said Joanna Peters, Executive Director of the Safer Arizona Roads Alliance.

By June, 346 drivers were photographed running red lights in town, or about one every two hours. By November, that number was down to 213 – a dramatic 38.4 percent improvement!

Both speeding and red light running are key factors in fatal crashes on America’s roads with the same risks as drunk driving! A 2011 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that hundreds of lives could be saved every year if more cities used traffic safety cameras at intersections.

“If you want to know whether these safety cameras are effective, just look at our numbers,” said Police Chief Lee Kinnard. “There’s no question in Globe that these cameras have made our streets safer. Drivers are speeding less and they’re stopping at stop lights. It’s that simple.”

By comparing intersection crashes in Globe in 2008 to that of the same period in 2011, the number dropped from 30 in 2008 to just 12 in 2011. In fact, nearly 90 percent of those cited for traffic violations were from outside Globe. About 69 percent of violations involved Arizona drivers, and almost 21 percent of drivers were from out of state.

“What those numbers tell me is that our use of traffic safety cameras is helping make this a safer city for the people who live in Globe and reminding people from other places to drive more safely in our city,” Chief Kinnard said.

Peters agreed “These statistics are great news not only for Globe but for every city that uses traffic safety cameras. A reduction of nearly 900 speeders in just six months is outstanding, especially for a city the size of Globe. The people of Globe should be very happy that their police department is using such an effective tool to make their community safer.”