Los Angeles: On Friday, October 11, 2002, the fifteenth intersection equipped with automated photo red light technology was placed into service at Sepulveda Boulevard and Manchester Avenue. Personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation selected this intersection due to the high number of reported traffic collisions. The intersection falls within the Pacific Community Police Area and the Council District of Cindy Miscikowski.

The automated enforcement program began on December 1, 2000, at four intersections in the City of Los Angeles. The program is a joint operation of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. The three and one-half-year pilot program will ultimately have sixteen intersections equipped with this technology.

The automated photo red light system is designed to capture motorists who fail to stop for a red traffic signal. A special camera mounted at the intersection snaps a picture of vehicles entering the intersection when the signal light is red. The film is processed and viewed by a specially trained police officer prior to a citation being prepared and mailed.

Each year in the United States more than 800 people die, and an estimated 200,000 are injured in traffic collisions involving motorists failing to stop for a red signal light. Photo red light technology, much like traditional traffic enforcement, plays a valuable role in the education of the motoring public. As traffic collisions throughout the State of California continue to rise each year, automated technology will greatly assist in the preservation of life, and the reduction of traffic collisions.

For further information, contact Sergeant Steven Foster, Uniformed Support Division, at 213-473-7796.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.