Redmond Bound? Watch Out for Red-Light Cams, Ticketing Starts Thursday

Redmond traffic officials will begin issuing $124 citations on Thursday to drivers who are caught running red lights or speeding in four new camera-enforced areas.

During a warning period that began Feb. 1, officials have issued 1,900 warnings to drivers who were caught committing traffic violations in these areas, Redmond Police Lt. Nick Almquist said Tuesday.

Almquist said he was surprised by the number of warnings, which exceeded projections from earlier traffic studies at these locations.

"We didn’t anticipate it being that high,” he said.

Red light cameras are located eastbound on Redmond Way at 148th Avenue Northeast, east and westbound on Northeast 40th Street at 156th Avenue Northeast, and westbound on Union Hill Road and northbound on Avondale Road where those two roads intersect. A speed zone camera is also located at Einstein Elementary, 18025 NE 116th St.

Police spokesman James Bove said he anticipates the number of violations will decline as time goes on.

"The number (of warnings) is higher than what we’d like to see, obviously, but we’d imagine the numbers will drop considerably as things continue," Bove said in an e-mail.

During the warning period, Almquist said the police department and camera vendor have worked out a few glitches, such as filtering the cameras' glare in an effort to make them less of a nuisance to surrounding homes.

“For the most part, all of the normal stuff is done and under control now,” Almquist said.

At the Feb. 15 city council meeting, council members unanimously approved an ordinance that requires any leftover revenue from the violations be put into a fund for traffic safety improvements and infrastructure. The safety cameras are a pilot program that will extend through 2011; city officials plan to revisit the program at the end of the year.

A complete explanation of how the cameras work is available on the city's website.