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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One ... Serious crime down in Medford ... Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One ... Serious crime down in Medford ... More red light cameras coming in Medford Police will also test system to prevent crashes at intersections Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 29, 2015 at 6:09 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 29, 2015 at 6:09 PM --> What do you think?Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter . » Social News ​Red-light cameras ​soon ​will ​​monitor two additional ​busy ​intersections in Medford, and police plan to test a system that could prevent crashes when drivers ​run a traffic light. The city already has red-light cameras at Barnett Road and Stewart Avenue, as well as at Biddle Road and McAndrews Road. Under a new ​five-year ​contract with Redflex​ Traffic Systems​, police would add cameras at Stewart and Columbus near South Medford High School, as well as at Jackson Road and Riverside Avenue. "We're not in this to make money," Medford police Chief Tim George told City Council Thursday. Instead, data from existing cameras shows there have been sharp declines in citations, along with a drop in accidents, as drivers become aware of the cameras. "I am a believer in it," George said. At McAndrews and Biddle, 33 accidents occurred each year in 2002 and 2003, prior to the installation of the cameras. From 2008 to 2012, the average number of accidents a year ​was 22.  ​​At Stewart and Barnett, an average of 22 accidents occurred per year in 2002 and 2003 compared with 10 on average from 2004 to 2012.​  The combined citations at the two intersections amounted to 2,196 in 2012 but had declined to 1,792 in 2014. A fine for running a red light is $260, and Redflex gets paid $90 for each of the first 250 citations per month and $75 for any citations beyond 250.  Redflex also provides the gear for photo radar vans, which can result in a fine of $160 for speeding drivers.  Net revenue to the city after paying expenses, including payments to Redflex for both the radar vans and red-light cameras, was $44,367 in 2014. Redflex installs the equipment without charge but makes its money off each citation, which must be approved by a police officer who reviews the photos.​  The average number of citations issued in a 24-hour period is 4.9 from the cameras, according to police. Another new technology ​that will be installed at one of the intersections will detect if a vehicle is about to run a red light. The technology prevents the cross-traffic signal from turning green until the offending motorist makes it through the intersection. The driver who ran the light will get a ticket in the mail.  Police haven't decided at which intersection to install the technology, and they don't know whether they will install it at other intersections in the future. "Redflex is giving us one freebie to see how it works," Deputy Police Chief Randy Sparacino said. The city would like to install red-light cameras at other intersections, including Crater Lake Highway and Poplar Drive, which had 24 accidents in 2013, and Crater Lake Highway and Delta Waters Road, which had 14 accidents. However, installation of the cameras would require approval from the Oregon Department of Transportation in a process that could take three to five years. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm. By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 29, 2015 at 6:09 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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