Scottsdale to cite left-turn red-light runners

Next month Scottsdale will start citing motorists running red lights while turning left, a first for the city in its 11 years of using photo enforcement.

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The camera at the intersection of eastbound Shea Boulevard and 90th Street will start issuing the citations for red-arrow runners on Aug. 1. Cameras at five other intersections are planned to start citing left-turn violators later this summer or in the fall.

cottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said the trigger point for violations remains the same.

“It’s the same whether going straight through an intersection or turning left, nothing is changing,” Clark said. “If any part of your vehicle is within the intersection (before it turns red), then you can legally proceed.”

The typical citation fee for running a red light is $204.

While no citations have been issued so far, sensors in place have recorded an average of about 440 left-turn violations per month at each location. Clark said the first location was chosen because of its collision rate.

The other five intersections where this monitoring will occur are southbound Hayden Road at Indian School Road, eastbound McDowell Road at Scottsdale Road, northbound Scottsdale Road at Thomas Road, southbound Scottsdale Road at Shea Boulevard and northbound Scottsdale Road at Cactus Road. Scottsdale has not announced activation dates for these five intersections.

The six intersections targeted already have cameras that cite drivers who run red lights through the intersection as well as drivers who travel through the intersection going at least 11 mph above the posted speed limit.

“There are no new cameras and equipment. All we’re doing is rather than monitoring data we will actually be issuing citations for activations,” Clark said.

Scottsdale cameras snap red-light runners and speeders at seven intersections, and the city has two fixed mid-block speed cameras. Scottsdale also uses four mobile speed vans.

In addition, six photo enforcement cameras have also been used on Loop 101 since early 2006, but four have recently been deactivated because of freeway construction.

Residents can call the city at (480) 312-7014 or e-mail

photoenforcement@scottsdaleaz.gov with questions about photo enforcement.