City approves 5‑year red‑light camera contract citing rising traffic fatalities; public and experts urge redesign alternatives

The Modesto City Council approved a five‑year purchasing agreement with American Traffic Solutions (doing business as Verra Mobility) for automated red‑light photo enforcement technology, authorizing the use of a cooperative purchase through the Houston‑Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC). The contract total was capped at $3,691,891 over five years; staff estimated an initial annual cost of about $703,218 and $5,250 per month per location.

Lieutenant T.J. Moffett of the Modesto Police Department said the city ranks poorly in the Office of Traffic Safety reports, citing a troubling trend in fatal crashes: "In 2024 we had 21 fatalities," he told the council, and the department reported 12 fatalities year‑to‑date in 2025 as of July. Moffett said the department has expanded enforcement and seeks automated enforcement as one tool in a broader traffic‑safety strategy.

Under the proposed system, Verra Mobility would deploy cameras at 10 city intersections chosen for collision outcomes, traffic volume and proximity to schools and pedestrian areas. The vendor’s cloud‑based system records still photos and short video clips; Modesto staff must review each potential violation and confirm a red‑light infraction before the city mails a notice to the alleged driver. Staff said the system can be tuned to ignore low‑speed right turns by setting a speed threshold for right‑turn detection.

The contract calls for a 30‑day, public education and warning period at each intersection before fines would be issued. Staff said any revenue collected would be deposited into the city’s traffic safety fund and used for traffic‑safety programs; they emphasized the fund is governed by California law and cannot be used for general purposes.

Councilmembers raised questions about privacy, driver identification and the effect on other crash types. Vice Mayor Bavaro asked about reviewer qualifications; staff said sworn officers and trained police civilian investigators will review footage and confirm violations. Councilmember Jeremiah Williams asked whether map services could display camera locations; staff said they would research that and planned an education campaign.

Public commenters and some experts urged caution and broader engineering changes. A resident cited academic research showing red‑light cameras reduce angle collisions but can increase rear‑end crashes; another commenter recommended redesigns such as roundabouts, narrower corner radii, raised crossings and other traffic‑calming treatments. Joseph Jackson, who said his company does traffic engineering, encouraged combining camera enforcement with synchronization and targeted education.

Several residents raised operational concerns: how the city would identify the driver when a vehicle was loaned to another person, how the system would handle vehicles trapped in an intersection during heavy congestion, and how equipment would react to a malfunctioning signal. Staff responded that the city will only issue a mailed notice after staff confirm a driver’s identification; they said congested intersections where vehicles are stopped would not automatically generate violations if the vehicle entered on green and was later stranded.

After the public comment period and council questions, the council voted 6–0 to approve the contract and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement. Staff estimated a six‑month implementation timeline; intersections on state highways will require Caltrans coordination and may take longer. Once a camera is active, the city will run a 30‑day warning period and post signage at photo‑enforced intersections.