Photo by John Rigg

The Safe Light Sugar Land program was established in 2008 and has red light cameras at four intersections throughout the city.

Sugar Land Officials with the city of Sugar Land were able to discuss their views regarding red light cameras at the Oct. 10 meeting of the Traffic Safety Task Force, which was created by the City Council in June to study the effectiveness of the city's red light camera program.

"We had a meeting where the city gave their opinion as to why they want the red light camera program to continue," said Harvey Zinn, chairman for the traffic safety task force. "The biggest issue for the red light cameras was not a revenue thing, but a safety thing."

Sugar Land implemented its Safe Light program in 2008, which resulted in an estimated 58 percent decrease in accidents at targeted intersections from 2009–12, and it is expected to bring more than $550,000 in revenue to the city in 2014, Assistant City Manager Steve Griffith said.

The task force is charged with deciding whether to continue, modify or eliminate Sugar Land's Safe Light program. The task force could also recommend that the issue be voted on by residents.

"We will hear our public comments to discuss what residents feel and will make a decision based on all of the information we have received," Zinn said.

The task force will meet at 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at city hall before making its final recommendation in early December. The meeting will offer a public comment period followed by a discussion and possible vote by the task force.

"If we cannot get a unanimous vote, we will present the recommendation that received the majority vote," Zinn said.