Fresno drivers will soon be monitored by red light cameras.
The Fresno City Council approved the development of an automated red-light camera pilot program on Thursday.
The backstory: Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 720 into law, allowing cities to establish red-light camera systems.
SB 720 established the Safer Streets Program to allow red light cameras across the state. Previously, only a handful of cities – including Los Angeles, San Jose and San Francisco – were allowed such programs under state law.
Previous state law also required jurisdictions to identify the driver of the vehicle. Now, cities can issue violations to the owner of the vehicle in question. Fresno used to have a red-light camera program that it axed in 2005 due to a lack of revenue.
The bill also changed the penalty for violators, dropping fines from $500 to $100.
The big picture: The red-light pilot program was introduced by Councilmembers Nelson Esparza and Annalisa Perea.
It passed during the consent agenda portion of Thursday’s meeting alongside other proposals.
What we’re watching: Thursday’s action by the council directs city administration to develop a 36-month pilot program.
Cameras will be “placed in locations that are geographically and socioeconomically diverse,” according to the resolution, as well as locations that have supporting traffic data.
City staff will return to the council with a list of proposed locations for the red-light cameras and a cost estimate to implement and administer the program within 90 days.