A new electronic eye is installed on Chandler Street to measure speed

A new electronic eye is installed on Chandler Street to measure speed (Alberta Times) Measures to install cameras in front of traffic lights to deter red light rushers have been implemented...

(Alberta Times)

Measures to install cameras in front of traffic lights to deter red light rushers have been implemented for 20 years and are nothing new. Last year, due to budget constraints, the governor first ordered the elimination of electronic speed camera monitoring on the state's highways, and many cities soon stopped camera service. Recently, the city of Chandler installed new "electronic eyes" at more than a dozen busy intersections. "Our goal is to improve intersection safety," said Redflex spokesman Tom Herman. This new device is called a "halo system" and the traffic light will turn red immediately. If the vehicle is traveling too fast and cannot stop at the red light, the new "electronic eye" will issue instructions to stop changing lights and allow the speeding vehicle to pass. Even so, a vehicle that goes full throttle to cross an intersection will still be considered a red light runner and will get a ticket and be required to pay a fine. But Chandler police say safety is more important than fines. "Imagine if a car runs a red light on Arizona Avenue and lets it pass, the car on Ray Avenue doesn't have to collide head-on with it," Herman said. Not everyone likes the radar camera system, and many people raise objections. The Chandler City Council signed a one-year contract with Redflex to provide equipment. The City Council will vote on whether the contract will continue next year.