Photo Radar Program Goals and Results

What is the goal of Automated Speed Enforcement?

The goal of Boulder's photo radar program is straightforward: to reduce speeding violations and, as a result, decrease crashes, prevent injuries, and save lives.  Since their implementation in 1998, photo radar cameras have contributed to dramatic reductions in aggressive speeding in photo radar enforcement zones, primarily school zones and neighborhoods.  Fewer violations should translate into lower crash and injury rates among drivers, passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.  The cameras have the added benefit of enhancing traffic safety while promoting community policing.

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Is photo radar effective?

Yes. A number of studies have evaluated the safety effects of automated speed enforcement programs.  In general, these studies indicate an approximately 2 to 15 percent reduction in speed and a 9 to 50 percent reduction in crashes.  

Reductions in Violations

The City of Boulder has analyzed the speeding violation data from each of the locations where photo radar enforcement is deployed.  The analysis shows that the city's photo radar locations have realized a significant reduction in violations. 

The following graph demonstrates the effect of photo radar during the first year of deployment at a sample location:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next graph illustrates the effect of photo radar over time at a sample location:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a sizeable reduction (68 percent) that signifies the program is achieving substantial results.  The city has met the number one goal of the program: to increase the safety and quality of life for our citizens by reducing speeding on neighborhood streets within the City of Boulder.

Isn't the main purpose of photo radar to make money?

No.  The objective of the photo radar program is to improve safety on neighborhood streets and in school zones.  Signs warn motorists that photo radar enforcement is in use.  The system is in plain view, in an unmarked police vehicle parked by the side of the road.  Independent audits of photo speed enforcement across the country have found that these programs generally do not generate excess revenue, and sometimes operate at a loss.  Fines for photo radar violations in Colorado are limited by the legislature to $40 per violation ($80 in school zones).  These fine amounts are less than the fines typically imposed for officer-cited speeding violations.

Last Updated on Thursday, 07 June 2012 08:58