Lights, Cameras,Tickets: WeHo to Install Red Light Cameras

by Staff

Controversial red-light cameras are making a comeback in West Hollywood with a 30-day warning period beginning on Monday, March 14, 2017. The City of West Hollywood will install new red-light photo enforcement technology at four existing photo-enforced intersections. The new digital cameras, which are capable of documenting vehicles that run red lights from the front and the rear with video and still photos, are replacing the previously installed film-based cameras that only took photos of the front of vehicles.

The City will begin a 30-day warning period for red light photo enforcement from Monday, March 13, 2017 through Tuesday, April 11, 2017. During this time period, warning notices will be mailed to registered owners of vehicles who were photographed committing red-light violations.  After the 30-day warning period passes, notices of violation will be issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. People who receive citations will be able to view photos and video of the violation on a password-protected site.

Red-light enforcement will be conducted at eight intersection approaches (two approaches on each of four intersections), which have a history of red-light-based violations. Every intersection approach monitored by cameras will be marked with a sign, notifying approaching traffic that the intersection is being monitored.

The four intersections are:

• Beverly Boulevard at Robertson Boulevard, eastbound and westbound;
• La Brea Avenue at Fountain Avenue, northbound and southbound;
• Santa Monica Boulevard at La Brea Avenue, northbound and eastbound;
• La Cienega Boulevard at Melrose Avenue, northbound and southbound.

The new cameras are part of the City’s consistent efforts to improve traffic safety and pedestrian safety. Automated red-light safety enforcement programs using cameras have proven to be an effective tool in reducing collisions caused by red-light violations. The City of West Hollywood previously used red-light photo enforcement cameras at 24 intersection approaches at eight intersections. In combination with upgrades to signal timing and enhancements to roadway markings, the program led to a successful reduction in accidents and violations. Traffic engineering analysis determined the other 16 intersection approaches no longer exhibit high instances of red light violations.