Diboll red-light enforcement, Safe Highway Program starts next week

The City of Diboll Safe Highway Program will officially begin on US. Highway 59 on March 3, 2008 as the new red light cameras will begin taking pictures of vehicles that run red lights at specific intersections in Diboll. The intersections that have been equipped with the cameras are Highway 59 at Lumberjack Drive and Harris Street and Highway 59 at Thompson and Dennis Street. Warning citations will be issued for a two week period and actual citations will begin on Monday, March 17, 2008.

Nestor Traffic Systems, based out of Providence, Rhode Island is the company supplying the cameras and over-seeing the program for the City of Diboll. The cameras will provide a front and rear view of the violation on citations issued along with all needed information on how the violation can be taken cared of There also will be a web address for persons receiving a citation mailed to them to go on-line and view the violation themselves. The fine for a red light violation issued from the cameras is $75 compared to $175 fine from a citation issued from a City of Diboll Police Officer.

The City of Diboll has always known of the problem with motorists running red lights at the intersections in town. A study conducted by Nester Traffic Systems and the City of Diboll showed 171 red light violations occurred at the intersections in a 16 hour period. The study was conducted during the middle of a week when traffic volume is not as high as a weekend day or holiday.

The City of Diboll will monitor the program to see if violations reduce due the camera system and make a decision whether to continue it at the conclusion of the current contract with Nestor.