Red Light Cameras
Filed under News
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
For more information, contact the City of Marietta Municipal Court Photo Red-Light Division at (770) 794-5261.
Cobb Parkway at Windy Hill Rd
The red light camera at Windy Hill issues the second most citations of any camera in Metro Atlanta. In 2008, the City of Marietta collected $1,500,000 and netted almost $1,000,000 after expenses from the red light cameras. Unincorporated Cobb County does not currently have any red light cameras.
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.