PHOENIX — Plans for rolling out more of those controversial photo enforcement cameras on state highways are on hold for now.
State Department of Public Safety administrators made the decision in mid-January after legislation surfaced that would alter or end the speed camera program.
Originally, DPS planned 100 cameras around the state, with 60 in permanent locations and 40 in mobile vans.
Crews installed 36 fixed cameras and set up 42 mobile units before the suspension.
Lt. James Warriner, a DPS spokesman, said the agency had planned to roll out the program in two phases, but administrators put the second phase on hold in order to analyze locations for the remaining cameras.
Most of the fixed location cameras are already in place, Warriner said.
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Suspending the rollout also gives the anti-speed camera bills a chance to work through the legislature, though lawmakers have promised to tackle the state’s budget crisis before addressing other issues.
“Once we feel comfortable with that, we will move forward with Phase 2,” Warriner said. “The original goal was to get them out as quickly as possible, and I think that was kind of part of our problem that we rolled them out too fast, and it didn’t give us enough time to educate the public.”
Cameras have clicked on motorists nearly 700,000 times on Arizona highways during the program’s first five months, averaging 4,400 times per day.
About 50,000 drivers have paid fines.
The state has collected $7.5 million from fines and Arizona-based Redflex Traffic Systems, which installed the equipment, will get nearly $900,000 thus far.
Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said putting a halt to the program was a prudent thing to do.
“If we eventually end the program on the highways, it’ll be less for them to disassemble,” he said. “I think there’s a clear majority to end photo radar on the highways because of the unscientific and abusive way that it was implemented: primarily to raise money and not promote safety.”
DPS said the cameras are producing results in the form of fewer fatalities.
“I think if you go out on the freeway system and travel it at all, you’ve seen a real change in driving behavior,” Warriner said. “Have (the cameras) accomplished what we’re looking for? Absolutely.”
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