Auburn drops red-light cameras

AUBURN, Wash. – Auburn has decided to get rid of its unpopular red-light cameras.

KOMO-TV reports the Auburn City Council voted 4-3 to no longer contract with a private company that operates the program.

Mayor Nancy Backus said traffic statistics show lights installed at four busy intersections have not reduced collisions since the program started in 2006.

Backus was on the council eight years ago and among those who supported the program. Auburn was the first municipality in the state to adopt photo enforcement at traffic lights.

Statistics show the number of accidents and injuries at those intersections has not changed since the cameras were installed. But the number of people running red lights has decreased.

Some, including the mayor, believe that alone makes the streets safer.