Los Angeles: Today, the Los Angeles Police Department announces the activation of a Photo Red Light (PRL) system at the intersection of Balboa Boulevard and Vanowen Street. This is the fourth activation within Operations-Valley Bureau (12th in the City) with a new Photo Red Light (PRL) monitoring system, which records vehicle license plates that run red lights. In the near future, 20 additional locations will be outfitted with comparable machinery, totaling 32 intersections Citywide.
In June 2005, the City’s PRL contract was not renewed after many years because of the poor quality of photographs. In November 2005, the City Council approved the contract with a new vendor, Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc. The new system is an improvement over the former system.
The dual-digital video camera system will record violators as they approach and travel through an intersection, after the light has changed to red. The license plate will be photographed from the front and rear. It is with the rear-facing camera that officers anticipate will increase the likelihood of convictions.
The digital video system will record 30 still frames per second for each violation, allowing a greater opportunity to get a clear photograph of the driver.
The new system has added features like the ability to monitor and adjust the equipment remotely via a satellite. It will also provide live photographs from the intersection during a breaking emergency.
A sergeant and four officers will be assigned full time to administer the program. They will use a laptop computer in court to present the digital evidence during disputed cases.
Media inquiries regarding this system may be referred to Sergeant Matthew MacWillie,
Traffic Coordination Section, at 213-847-1705.
A list of the current and former Photo Red Light intersections is available from Media Relations Section, upon request.
We wouldn't have to install these cameras if they timed the lights correctly. Currently, as you approach the light, it turns red, and only people that speed can make the light.
Time the light corectly, as cars approach it turns green, and cars won't have to speed and we won't need the expensive camera.
Bernard
Posted by: Bernard Falkin | March 22, 2025 at 07:00 PM
You heard it right here folks: Big Brother-- coming to a street corner near you.
Now if only there were a way for the cameras to know who is driving without a license or insurance . . .
Posted by: J Q Public | March 23, 2025 at 09:00 AM
Never in a million years will I be convinced these are installed for safety. It's about the mega bucks they bring in.
Posted by: Dean | March 23, 2025 at 11:24 AM
JQ Public,
Great point! Hopefully soon they will be able to come up with that technology. After we are able to start cracking down on the unlicensed & uninsured drivers, all of us who obey the laws, take and pass a test for the "privilege" to drive and also obtain liability insurance, will see a decrease in our insurance rates!
I'm glad to see that you're actually using common sense and coming around in your thinking, JQ!
Posted by: Jeff | March 23, 2025 at 12:01 PM
As long as the sensors are programmed properly, and allow for people to make legal right hand turns on red lights...in other cities with these cameras (such as Whittier, who just loves these things), people are getting hammered for this...getting ticketed for something that is perfectly legal, and then having to fight it in court, at the expense of days off from work, etc... City of LA, are you listening?
Posted by: EdgarFriendly | March 23, 2025 at 03:35 PM
Sorry guys-- I think you're crazy for being so generous to your fellow drivers.
I, for one, am glad that something more will be done to keep LA's crazy drivers in check. How many times have you narrowly escaped an accident at an intersection because some hotshot thinks he can shoot through a fresh red light?
Yes, the allusion to Big Brother is seductive, but the boring truth is that people who follow basic traffic rules have nothing to fear from this system.
Posted by: Sagar | March 25, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Bernard it wouldnt matter if the lights were timed or not, people who run red lights will run them whether or not they're timed.
I don't think its about bringing in bucks. If we had 20,000 cops, we would actually be able to put some where there are traffic violators. These cops would write tickets which coincidently, bring in bucks. Then everyone would complain about that.
I say put a red light on every intersection. I cant stand red light runners, it holds up the cross traffic which in turn creates more gridlock. . .
Posted by: Pete Malloy | March 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM