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Attorney: Red light camera tickets are unconstitutional

City adds more red light cameras despite heated controversy

Violations at St. Louis' first 13 red light cameras have plunged by at least 43 percent and by up to 98 percent, according to figures the city provided to News 4. 

Red light cameras violations cost motorists $100. The city keeps $69 for each violation and its for-profit partner, American Traffic solutions, collects $31. 

The camera with the largest drop in tickets issued was on westbound Chippewa at the Hampton intersection. It went on line in May 2007 and in its first full month issued 737 tickets; in February it issued just 15 tickets. 

St. Louis continues to add new cameras, which generate the most revenue, since motorists are not yet familiar with their locations. 

St. Louis now has 40 red light cameras issuing tickets at 19 intersections and is expected to have 47 cameras at 23 intersections by October. 

At least 37,781 tickets were issued through February.  The city says it’s netted more than $1.4 million dollars since the program began.  

St. Louis Operations Director Ron Smith tells News4 he can’t see ending the installation of new cameras for now, since they are reducing accidents and promoting safer driving.  

We've obtained a chart of the first 13 cameras to go on line, the date they went on line, tickets issued and percentage decline in tickets issued.

You can see the chart and check out the numbers for yourself.