Kansas City Prepares for Return of Red Light Cameras After Decade-Long Ban

Kansas City Gets Ready for a New Era with Red Light Cameras

Kansas City is bustling with excitement as the prospect of red light cameras making a comeback draws closer. It’s a topic that has sparked lively discussions among residents and city officials alike. After being banned for over ten years, these cameras might soon be back on Kansas City streets.

A Brief History of Red Light Cameras in Missouri

Let’s rewind a bit to 2013. That’s when the Missouri Supreme Court decided to pull the plug on red light cameras across the state. The technology available at the time only captured the vehicle’s license plate and didn’t provide any proof of who was behind the wheel. Surprisingly, this ruling left many cities, including Kansas City, without a way to monitor traffic light violations.

Fast Forward to 2023

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago, and the Kansas City City Council has opened the conversation once again. Early this fall, the council voted with an overwhelming majority of 10 to 1 in favor of reinstating the cameras. Exciting, right? But before you start imagining those flashy cameras popping up on every corner, there’s still a bit of work to be done.

Mayor Lucas’ Update

Mayor Quinton Lucas is fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. He recently stated that much is still in progress behind the scenes before red light cameras can be reinstalled. Discussions involving city attorneys, officials, and the police department are ongoing. They want to ensure that everything is just right before the cameras flash again.

The Final Hurdle

Before the cameras can start capturing those notorious traffic violations again, there’s one last hurdle: approval from the Board of Police Commissioners. Expectations are that if all goes smoothly, the cameras could be up and running by spring 2024.

The New and Improved Technology

Interestingly, this new setup is similar to one passed in St. Louis earlier this year. The city is partnering with a tech company that claims to have solved the previous issues that plagued red light camera use. The new cameras will now not only snap a picture of the vehicle’s license plate but will also take a picture of the front of the vehicle.

This means clearer images of the driver are a top priority. How does that change the game? Well, tickets will only be issued after the city can match the identification of the driver to the vehicle’s owner, a process that aims to eliminate any questions about accountability.

Where Will They Go?

Now, here’s the kicker: where exactly will these cameras be placed? As of now, that decision hasn’t been made yet. City officials will have to figure out the most strategic spots to set them up, keeping the safety of the citizens at the forefront while also aiming to curb any reckless driving behavior.

Stay Updated

For those eager to stay in the loop, Mayor Lucas joins local hosts every Monday morning at 7:30 am to provide updates on various city matters, including the ongoing developments regarding the red light cameras.

Residents of Kansas City, get ready! With these changes on the horizon, it looks like the streets will soon be a whole lot safer. The return of red light cameras could very well be the start of a new chapter in keeping the city’s traffic in check. Let’s hope it brings about a positive change for all.