Red Light Traffic Enforcement System
In 2010/2011 fiscal year, Red Light Traffic Enforcement System captured 22,579 violations in the City of Kingsport at 10 intersections. Due to factors such as license plate obstructions, sun glare, multiple vehicles in the same frame, safe turns on red, weather conditions, or the issuing state not being identifiable, etc., there were 12,544 citations dismissed. In all, there were 10,035 citations issued for red light camera violations. From the above fiscal year, there are approximately 13 citations currently pending. Of all violations captured, 44.44 % received citations. During the fiscal year, 1,323 were sent to collections, and 576 were dismissed. Approximately five citations were satisfied and/or pending by bankruptcy, partially paid or insufficient funds. There were 8,455 paid citations in 2010/2011, from various fiscal years including fiscal year 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The intersection of Stone Drive at Clinchfield Street issued the most citations followed closely by Stone Drive at Eastman Road (Westbound). In June of 2011, two new cameras were installed at Stone Drive at Netherland Inn Road and Stone Drive at University Boulevard for a total of twelve cameras.
**To View Example videos of these violations please click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I enter an intersection under yellow, and the light changes to red, will I receive a citation?
No. Under state law, you have a legal right to safely clear an intersection after passing the white stop bar under a yellow light.
Can I make a right turn on red?
At most intersections, you may turn right on red after coming to a complete stop. Intersections where right on red is prohibited are clearly marked at the intersection.
Are tickets processed by a private company?
All potential violations are reviewed by a Kingsport police officer. If sufficient evidence is presented by the photographs and video, a citation will be issued.
Doesn’t this violate a person’s right to privacy?
Driving is a privilege, not a right. And, there is no expectation of privacy in public places. By obtaining a drivers license, a motorist agrees to abide by traffic laws, including obeying traffic signals.
Have yellow caution periods been shortened?
No. Careful logs are kept of signal timings in Kingsport. Only one signal change has been made since installation, and that changed lengthened the caution period.
What if I wasn’t driving the vehicle?
As with any citation, a citizen has an opportunity to appear in City Court to present evidence of their innocence.
I hear that camera enforcement causes more accidents than it prevents.
Kingsport accident data clearly indicates a reduction in the most dangerous 90-degree angle collisions, and a modest increase in rear-end accidents.
Why not just add more officers?
Providing just 12 hours of equivalent police protection is estimated to cost $1 million.
It’s all about the money…
False. The purpose of Red-Light Cameras is to reduce accidents. Kingsport’s experience is similar to most communities. The number of citations issued are falling each year, providing concrete evidence of reduced violations.
