Cameras at traffic lights that will photograph drivers who run red lights are being installed in Denver, including one today at the intersection of Quebec Street and East 36th Avenue.
Drivers caught on camera will receive traffic tickets in the mail, but during the first 30 days cameras are in use, Denver violators will receive only warnings.
“This is the first installation in a year-long pilot program,” said Bill Vidal, Denver’s manager of public works.
With the new program for the city, Denver joins several other Colorado communities having red-light cameras, including Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, Northglenn, Greenwood Village, Longmont and Greeley.
Denver manages 1,200 traffic signals in the city, Vidal said.
Authorities with cities using the cameras say the technology helps cut down on dangerous, sometimes fatal, broadside accidents.
Denver also plans to install cameras at the intersections of Sixth Avenue and Lincoln Street; West Eighth Avenue and Speer Boulevard; and West Sixth Avenue and Kalamath Street.
The camera on northbound Quebec will be the first one to go on line, and the others will follow.
The city will post a schedule on its website, , announcing when the cameras go active and when tickets will start to be issued.
The work at Quebec will not be finished for several days, and there will be a short test period before the grace period starts.
The intersection at Sixth and Lincoln ranked No. 1 in Denver in crashes with 195 from Jan. 1, 2002, through March 15, 2005, according to the city, including 96 broadside crashes.
At the Quebec intersection today, at least two vehicles — a car and a four-door sedan — were seen running red light during the 20-minute news conference.
All suspected red-light violations will be reviewed by the city before $75 tickets are issued, and the review process will include looking at front and back still photos and video as well.
“There will be a review by police. Drivers will have the right to contest a ticket and also the ability to go online and review streaming video” of the suspected infraction, said special operations division chief David Quinones of the Denver Police Department.
As part of the program, signs will be posted at the approach to intersections with cameras warning motorists that they are in use, Vidal said.
The Denver City Council has approved an $838,000 contract with Redflex Traffic Systems to provide, install and perform monthly service on the equipment through 2012.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
