FARRAGUT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

The initiative to bring a Traffic Enforcement Program to the TOF began in 2006 with the following goals:

• overall traffic safety
• get people to pay more attention to their driving behavior
• reduction in the number of vehicles running red lights in the Town of Farragut

We began by researching the technology available and the best practices of other communities around the nation.  The Town then collaborated with the Knox County Sheriff's Office to contract for an officer to review the videos of potential violations and subsequently, if needed, testify in Municipal Court. The Sheriff's Office agreed to provide this service and a local ordinance was adopted by the Town Board to allow for Automated Traffic Enforcement of the traffic signals within the Town.   

The process involved at least seven public forums for citizen input as well as putting together a committee to review the proposed program and ultimately to review bids from the four companies that responded to the Request for Proposals.

The review process was deliberately exhaustive and involved public presentations from each of the companies at public Board meetings. Redflex INC. was ultimately awarded the contract in spring of 2009 and installation of the "System" began in August 2009.

Four intersections were targeted due to the high traffic volume and number of red light violations surveyed by the Town Staff. These intersections were submitted to Redflex who conducted two additional surveys which confirmed the violation data collected by the Town. 

Traffic Enforcement is active at the following intersections:

• 1. Kingston Pk. Eastbound at Concord Rd. and Concord Rd. Northbound at Kingston Pk.
• 2. Kingston Pk. Eastbound at Campbell Station Rd. and Campbell Station Rd. Southbound at Kingston Pk.
• 3. Kingston Pk. Westbound at Smith Rd and Smith Rd. Southbound at Kingston
• 4. Campbell Station Rd. Southbound at Parkside Dr/Grigsby Chapel Rd. and Parkside Dr. Westbound at Campbell Station Rd. (This intersection has been delayed due to construction and will be coming online in Summer 2010.

The cameras were activated on Oct. 3, 2009, at which time the 45-day warning period began.

On Nov. 17, 2009, the Town began issuing real citations that carried a fine of $50.00. The charge is considered a "non-moving violation" and does not go on a driver's record or negatively impact a driver's automobile insurance.

In closing, if the program reduces the number of red light runners it will ultimately reduce the number of crashes which will also reduce the amount of property damage. More importantly, the program will reduce the number of personal injuries due to these types of crashes.

If you have been issued a citation, you can go to www.photonotice.com (TOWN CODE: FARGTN) and view a video of the violation. Instructions on how to view your video are located on your citation. If you have lost your citation, please call 1-877-847-2338.

If you have general questions about how the Traffic Enforcement Program works or if Redflex Customer Service is unable to answer your questions, please contact Ben Harkins, Farragut Program Manager, at 865-966-7057 or bharkins@townoffarragut.org