Approximately three years after the first red light camera was installed in SeaTac, the automated red light enforcement system appears to be generating revenue and deterring traffic violations at intersections.

Recent reports that Burien's system of red light cameras has not collected enough revenue from fines to cover the cost the camera
service, provided by Redflex, have raised questions about the financial benefits of intersection monitoring in adjacent cities.

In 2009, SeaTac's three red light cameras cost the city $153,827.18, and the city collected $206,507.18 in fines from violators, producing a net gain of $52,680 according to SeaTac Court Administrator Mary Pederson.

During the first four months of 2010, the city collected $69,245.61 in fines and paid $59,573.52, for a net gain of $9,672.09.

Pederson noted that the city has been taking in "considerably less" in recent months than it was at the start of the program.

"I absolutely believe we've had a lessening of violations," said Police Chief James Graddon.

Police department statistics bear out this view-- the number of red light infractions dropped by 40 percent between 2008 and 2009, according to a list of police department accomplishments in the 2010 SeaTac city budget.

Although the police department has not attempted to officially determine how the installation of the red light cameras has affected the number of accidents at the intersections where they are placed,

Graddon said, "We believe anecdotally that the number of accidents has decreased," noting that it would make sense for the number of accidents caused by cars running red lights would decrease when the number of red light violations decreased.

"It's logical to assume that more people are paying attention to the lights."

Contrary to rumor, Graddon said, no other elements of the intersection have been changed; yellow light lengths remain the same.

Graddon stressed that SeaTac had selected Arizona-based Redflex, the same red light camera service used in Seattle and Burien, as the result of a study of the three available companies and a competitive bidding process.

"We think we have gotten very good customer service from Redflex," Graddon stated, describing how the company reviews images and video from intersection cameras and removes unsuitable footage, later sending letters to the registered owners of cars SeaTac police officers have determined actually violated traffic codes.

He also suggested that the partnership between SeaTac and Redflex provided drivers who appear to have run red lights with good opportunities for recourse.

Drivers can view the images of their car at the intersection and decide whether they actually did run the light. Those who believe the accusations are unfair may protest them in court.

"We think we have a good relationship with them," Graddon said of Redflex.