Marietta currently has three red light cameras that are used to detect when a vehicle crosses a designated stopping place after a traffic light becomes red. The red light cameras issue automatic citations using the vehicle license plate information. When a driver is issued a $70 ticket, it is classified as a civil penalty and is not reported to the driver’s insurance company and it is not added to the driver’s record. The three intersections in the City of Marietta are:
- Cobb Parkway at Windy Hill Rd
- Cobb Parkway at Allgood Rd
- Powder Springs St at South Marietta Pkwy
In 2008, the City of Marietta collected $1,500,000 and netted almost $1,000,000 after expenses from the red light cameras. 2009 revenues at all three intersections were $1,420,466, minus expenses of $553,844, equals a profit of $866,622. 2010 revenues were $1,322,928, minus expenses of $434,808, equals a profit of $888,120. Unincorporated Cobb County does not currently have any red light cameras.
For more information, contact the City of Marietta Municipal Court Photo Red-Light Division at (770) 794-5261.
I recently received a “red light” ticket. Apparently this is a money maker for Marietta, rather than a safety issue. Would like to know if accident stats have improved with the use of the cameras.
Hi Donna, and thanks for the comment. While traffic cameras are a revenue source for many cities, some studies show that they may not result in a safer intersection.
The Washington Post found that “the number of accidents has gone up at intersections with the cameras. The increase is the same or worse than at traffic signals without the devices.”
Source
A 2008 study by the University of South Florida found that “cameras actually increase crashes and injuries, providing a safety argument not to install them.”
Source
The Virginia Department of Transportation found that “red light running crashes decreased but that rear-end crashes (where a following vehicle strikes the rear of a leading vehicle) increased after the cameras were installed.” Their recommendation following the study was that “red light cameras should not be implemented without an intersection-specific study of the intersection’s crash patterns and geometric characteristics…and that additional controlled studies be conducted at those intersections where red light cameras have been installed.”
Source
I just paid one of these because it would be cheaper than fighting it.
(travel expenses / gas)
I got to wondering if maybe because its because I have WYOMING plates, and they saw this as a (as the prev post implies) a revenue source.
In the pictures, you can plainly see the light is yellow.
according to Georgia code 40-6-20 / Marietta City ordinance 10-4-170
“allegedly failed to stop or crossed the white stop line on the pavement and entered the intersection after the circular or arrow signal has turned red.”
AFTER SIGNAL TURNED RED. this says NOTHING about it being yellow, but like I said, cheaper to pay the fine than travel again and sit in court.
I’d like to be re-imbursed my money, or I’d like to see my $70 goto the re-wording of the Ordinance.
Well I just got a ticket in the mail for supposedly running a red light at cobb parkway NW at Windy Hill. I say supposedly because 1-there was NO picture of my vehicle running that light included with the citation, 2-the letter stated this was my second letter but this was my first time receiving the notice and 3 on the day in question I was NEVER anywhere on that side of town. I can’t wait to speak with someone about this and get this handled. I will be asking for a hearing no doubt!
I just recieved a letter that in May of 2006 that I ran a red light. I did not recieve any letter at the time the said ran a red light by the way they said this is my second notice. I would like to see a picture of the incident plus if it happen in Marietta why did they send me a letter from Cincinnati? Why did they wait 3 years? I would like to have a fair hearing because I don’t have $750.00 for a ticket I know nothing about!
I received a red light ticket for the same traffic light as WM Luker. I did not receive my first citation but then they sent the “second” certified mail and I had to sign for it. It’s funny to me because the light turned yellow as I was going thru it but they still mailed me a ticket. Oh well, I will pay it but trust me they always lose more money than they make when it comes to these things. I was in a car accident where I guy ran a red light and it was the most tragic thing in my life. I will never run a light but that’s what “they all say”. LOL! Enjoy the $70.00!
Above, WM Luker said “In the pictures, you can plainly see the light is yellow.”
I only see one picture and the light is clearly red.
The yellow arrow light is yellow…i believe this is what he was referring to.
I can see that the turning signal light is red….yellow is not on the top
What happens if you have a new vehicle that does not have a plate yet and it takes a picture?
I too received a ticket at this same intersection. Not for running the light, but for rolling across the white line after the light was red. This is nothing more than a money making intersection for Cobb County. The Safety issue has little to do with it.
To all the City of Marietta elected offiicials. Is the revenue worth the hate and resentment to the City of Marietta Georgia traffic lights produce? I cannot wait to get annexed into the city and vote.
Are those three intersections still the only ones that enforce the photo red lights? I was passing on South Marietta Parkway and Atlanta Street and thought I saw a flash. Then again, it was early in the morning and I’m not positive. Can you shed some light on whether or not I saw something?
Hi Zack,
As far as we know, those are the only three intersections with the cameras.
What a scam! And all of it goes straight into the pockets of crooks.
As a resident of Marietta, I am curious to the gross & net revenues for the red light cameras in 2009 & 2010??? Please let us know.
According to the City of Marietta, 2009 revenues at all three intersections were $1,420,466, minus expenses of $553,844, equals a profit of $866,622. 2010 revenues were $1,322,928, minus expenses of $434,808, equals a profit of $888,120.
I got a ticket from the camera on allgood and 41,i clearly ran the red light,no disputing that.
The problem i have was why does the city make it my problem if i was not driving the car.The government puts the burden on me to prove that i was not driving the car,versus them proving i was driving the car.If i tell the government that i was not driving the car,they want me to tell them who was driving the car,thats not my job,thats there’s.the city solicitor was so proud of his little red light cameras,I am quite convinced that this is just a way for the gov to generate an income,wish i could do this.
The citizens of marietta need to ban together to get rid of these red light cameras,and send a messege to the wacko solicitor.I believe they try to make it a civil thing rather than a crimal one,im not sure,but i dont think you loose any pts with this system.We just need kick big brother to the curb,thanks for keeping us safe by installing red light cameras,me and my children feel so much safer in great Marietta
Found this in the Thursday July 28, 2011 Los Angeles Times.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0727-red-light-cameras-20110727,0,496609.story
But for those who ignore them and do not show up in court or admit guilt, neither the city nor the court system will force them to pay. Additionally, Cmdr. Blake Chow of the Los Angeles Police Department said those scofflaws face no risk to their credit rating, car registrations or driver’s licenses.
Part of the reason that these “red light camera tickets” are unenforceable is that it is unclear who is driving the vehicle at the time of infraction AND it is unclear as to whether legal notifications are being properly delivered by mail.
Does Cobb County follow the same or similar practices regarding enforcement of red light camera tickets as reported in this article from Los Angeles?
Does this same set of
http://trafficticketusa.com/blawg/?m=200801
Third article in this blog addresses the non-payment issue of red-light cameras in several metro Atlanta cities. It looks as if not paying a red-light camera ticket has little to no consequences. Possibly a collection agency may cause an issue with your credit report but that is not yet confirmed to be the case.
Any issue of an unpaid red-light ticket on a consumer’s credit report may be disputed and removed since there is no proof that any consumer was the motorist who was actually driving the vehicle; and/or there is no proof that the consumer received proper legal notification of the red-light camera ticket through the mail. The consumer then has the right not only to have the collection item removed from their credit report, but the consumer also then has the right to bring a civil lawsuit against both the collection agency and the city or county for damages.
We just received a traffic violation notice. It says the alleged incident happened on 9/22 at 1:25 PM by my husband and our Kia Soul. First of all my husband was at work with his white Ford Focus. The picture they sent us is of a Ford Expedition or Explorer with a trailer hitch and key lock entry to open the trunk. Our Kia has neither. Also I had my Kia parked in the parking lot of Pebblebrook High School at the time of the alleged violation. I am a teacher, and I was in class teaching at the time. So unless someone stole my Kia, drove it to Marietta, transformed it into a much larger Ford SUV, and then re-transformed it back and re-parked exactly at my parking space in Mableton, there is something FISHY going on here. The license plate that was photographed is off by one digit from our Kia. Now we have to send in an affadavit contesting the violation when we did nothing? We will have to take time off from work to go to Court? What is going on here? This is ridiculous. And I am very upset.
Marietta (and on a larger scale) Cobb County has a horrible track record for unnecessary traffic citations. Quickly scanning the articles cited, there is no proof that these cameras work, thereby proving this just a way for the city to line their pockets. I saw no sign at my intersection (Allgood & Cobb), but I’m sure if not there already, one will be erected shortly.
I find it interesting that my citation came from Tempe. Surely you could find a way to keep the outsourcing local and improve our own economy and unemployment rates? Sad.
We are currently in the process of investigating potential legal claims against such local Ordinances and would be pleased to give you a Free Consultation. Cases that we accept will be on a Contingency Fee basis.
Henry A. Turner
TURNER LAW OFFICES, LLC
(404) 261-7787
Notice: The purpose of this posting is to identify select issues that may be of interest to readers. Under Georgia’s Code of Professional Responsibility, portions of this communication may constitute attorney advertising. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for the advice of retained counsel.