Cameras Catch Traffic Signal Violators in Solana Beach, Calif.

In December 2003, the Solana Beach city council authorized an agreement for a private contractor to implement a traffic light photo enforcement program along with the city law enforcement services and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. A total of three intersections were subsequently approved by the city council on June 1, 2004, for installation of traffic light photo equipment to catch potential traffic light violators at intersections.

The installation of the cameras is scheduled initially at two intersections, Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Highway 101 intersection, and the intersection of Lomas Santa Fe and Solana Hills Drive. A third intersection at Lomas Santa Fe and Stevens Avenue has also been approved for installation of red light photo/video enforcement equipment at a later date. Any future intersections earmarked for red light enforcement program is subject to review and approval by the city council. The neighboring cities of Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside, and Vista have also approved and implemented red light photo enforcement programs.

Violators will pay $341 dollars per ticket with each individual violation reviewed by a San Diego County sheriff's officer prior to the citation being issued. Drivers who receive photo red light tickets have all of the same rights that come with any traffic violation. The 30-day operational warning period prior to scheduled enforcement of violations required by state law begins on Oct. 5.

The city of Solana Beach is planning an initiation ceremony for the city's new installation of new traffic light enforcement cameras on Wednesday, October 5, 2004, at 4:30 p.m., with the location of the ceremonial "flip of the switch" by the Solana Beach city council planned at the intersection of Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Highway 101.