This Week's Column: Camera Signs
Oops. I meant to post this Saturday morning. My fault!
The flashbulbs went dark on March 16. No more red-light running caught on cameras in Greensboro.
But road crews still haven't taken down the signs warning drivers of the cameras. What's the deal?
"For the time being, (the signs) are going to be up," said Kevin Elwood with the city's transportation department. "As far as the future, I can't tell you for sure what the status will be."
The City Council voted to temporarily suspend the city's 18 red-light cameras pending the outcome of a lawsuit in High Point over who keeps money from tickets. The cameras themselves are still in place in Greensboro, ready to be reactivated.
A judge ruled that 90 percent of the money generated from the program should go to county schools, as stipulated in state law. High Point and, by extension, Greensboro say the city can't afford to operate the cameras without a larger slice of the pie. The case is on appeal.
Side note: Should money matter if the program was all about safety? Yeah, I thought so ...
It's not known when the courts will settle the issue. Elected leaders turned off the cameras to save on possible reimbursements.
Readers, I'm open to your opinions about the signs. Should the city keep them up until the legal issues are settled? Drivers not aware that cameras are turned off might actually follow the law.
Or is it false advertising? National studies have shown more fender benders occur at traffic lights that are photo-enforced.
Send comments to the e-mail address listed below, and I'll include some of your choice thoughts here next week.
Railroad crossing arms
Good news for folks in Liberty. The state late last month completed the installation of railroad gates and signals at the crossings at Luther and Bowman avenues.
The Luther Avenue project cost $149,500 and was paid for with 90 percent federal funds, 10 percent state funds.
The Bowman Avenue project - paid for in full by Uncle Sam - cost $162,200. A number of occupied school buses cross there each day.
The Norfolk Southern line carries two trains across the road each day at up to 30 mph.
Norfolk Southern and the town will split annual maintenance costs. Town Manager Dave Oles estimated the price tag to be about $3,500 for each crossing.
"When you're a small town, that's an added expense you're not quite used to. Is it worth it? Absolutely," Oles said. "We'll find the money to take care of that. It's a safety enhancement for all of us."
Fast Forward runs every Saturday. Got questions you want answered or need to vent about transportation issues? Send 'em my way at 373-7008 or etownsend@news-record.com. Be sure to leave your name and a way for me to get in touch with you.