By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Las Cruces City Council gave direction today to deactivate traffic enforcement cameras at the intersection of North Main Street and Solano Drive. The cameras will be deactivated on Wednesday, May 12th at 11:59 p.m.
The cameras at that intersection will only be used to collect data and no citations will be issued. Traffic enforcement cameras at the intersection of Valley Drive and Avenida de Mesilla will continue to operate, issuing citations to violators. The north side camera is located on the state's right-of-way. The City is currently discussing the possibly of an extension with the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to keep that camera in place.
In March, the New Mexico Transportation Commission voted allow NMDOT to restrict or prohibit the use of traffic enforcement cameras, or red light cameras, on any state roadway, highway or federal interstate under its jurisdiction in New Mexico. In accordance with this decision, traffic enforcement cameras located on state rights-of-way must be deactivated before May 18th.
The City implemented its traffic enforcement camera program in February, 2009 at four of Las Cruces' busiest intersections:
Valley Drive and Avenida de Mesilla
North Main Street and Solano Drive
Lohman Avenue and Walnut Street
Lohman Avenue and Telshor Boulevard
The cameras identify suspected red light runners and speeders by video and still photographs. Fines for running a red light or speeding through a lighted intersection are capped by state law at $100 per violation. No refunds will be issued to motorists for prior violations which occurred at the North Main/Solano Drive or Valley Drive/Avenida de Mesilla intersections since they were in legal operation.
Revenue generated by the system is split between the City of Las Cruces, State of New Mexico and Redflex. The City's portion is used to fund public safety enhancements in the police and public works departments.