February 20, 2009

 

At a recent Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting, a one-year pilot contract for traffic safety photo enforcement was approved.  This was the result of a collaborative effort involving the Pima County Department of Transportation and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The goal of the photo speed enforcement program is simple—to better obtain voluntary compliance with the posted speed limits by motorists who use the public highway system in Pima County.

Between January 2007 and October 2008, there were over 7000 reported motor vehicle crashes in unincorporated Pima County. Of these crashes, nearly half involved speeding motorists. More importantly, 63 percent of fatal crashes involved speeding and 36 percent of the fatalities involve excessive speeds of 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit. Excessive speeding is a particular problem in the unincorporated areas of this community as individual speeders not only injure or kill themselves but also place other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians at risk. Public costs including law enforcement and fire department resources involved in responding to crashes are substantial. 

Initially, fixed speed enforcement sites will be installed at locations identified from reviews of collision data, enforcement statistics, engineering principles, and law enforcement judgment. The county may use mobile speed enforcement vans in the future as part of this effort. The sites for the photo enforcement system will be located throughout Pima County as follows:

•    Valencia Road near Wilmot Road
•    Ina Road near Camino de Fosforo
•    Ruthrauff Road near Calle Reina
•    8500 South Nogales Hwy./Hermans Road
•    Mission Road near Nebraska Street
•    Swan Road/South near Calle Barrill

•    Valencia Road near Camino De La Tierra 
•     Alvernon Way near Stationmaster Drive
•    La Cholla Drive near Fountains Avenue
•    River Road near Camino Boscaje

 

During the seven (7) day warning period, photo-enforcement cameras will capture still images and video of speeding violations.  A warning notice will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner.  There is no fine for this warning notice.  At the completion of the warning period, citations will be issued.  Anyone exceeding the speed limit by eleven (11) MPH or more will be fined.