Traffic Cameras Spur Method-of-Payment Controversy
The City of San Juan Capistrano, has proposed that its red-light camera operator receive a flat monthly fee for running the enforcement system instead of getting a percentage of each ticket issued, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The City of San Juan Capistrano, has proposed that its red-light camera operator receive a flat monthly fee for running the enforcement system instead of getting a percentage of each ticket issued, the Los Angeles Times reported. The city is one of dozens that have installed cameras at busy intersections to catch drivers who run red lights. San Juan Capistrano, which has cameras installed at three intersections, joins a growing list of agencies considering a shift in how they pay private operators of red-light camera enforcement systems. Critics have said that paying camera operators on a percentage basis encourages them to issue more tickets. The Times reported that a state audit earlier in 2002 found that red-light cameras reduce accidents, but that supervision of the cameras is lacking and the cities that use them are vulnerable to lawsuits. San Diego stopped paying operators on a per-ticket basis after losing a lawsuit brought by 292 drivers who claimed that giving a camera operator $70 of every $271 ticket was incentive for the operator to “prosecute for profit.” According to the Los Angeles Times, San Juan Capistrano currently pays RedFlex, Inc. $59 per ticket issued.
More Operations

From AI Prompts to AI-Generated Safety Songs | AF News Recap
Can better prompts make AI more useful for fleet managers? This week, we’re breaking down smarter fleet analysis, an AI-assisted experiment that turned safety training into music, and what happened to fuel prices in August.
Read More →
How to Write Better AI Prompts for Fleet Analysis
Include these six elements in your fleet prompts to generate more relevant analysis and accurate answers.
Read More →
Fleet Meets: Eric Kilgore
This edition of the Fleet Meets series features one of the industry's best leaders driving multi-market and national operations.
Read More →
Why Reactive Fleet Management Is Becoming Too Expensive to Sustain
Research highlights a growing need for proactive management strategies to address rising costs in fleet operations effectively.
Read More →
What Your Fleet KPIs Aren’t Telling You
Tracking fleet metrics is only useful when the data leads to better decisions. This guide helps fleet leaders assess cost, utilization, and downtime more accurately, identify performance gaps, and prioritize the actions that can improve operational results.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness
Read More →
Turning Fleet Payment Data into Executive Insights
Does data alone drive results in operations?
Read More →
Automotive Fleet Opens 2026 Personal Use Survey for Commercial Fleet Managers
Commercial and corporate fleet managers are invited to share how their organizations handle company vehicle personal-use policies, charges, and driver eligibility.
Read More →
Gary Van Orden Retires After Nearly Four Decades in Commercial Fleet
From answering customer calls at Ford Motor Company to leading fleet sales across multiple OEMs and a fleet management company, Gary Van Orden's career reflects nearly four decades of leadership in commercial fleet.
Read More →
How Stellantis Plans to Get Ahead of Fleet Downtime
Vehicle acquisition may grab the headlines, but fleet uptime increasingly determines operating success. Darren Bradshaw of Mopar North America gives the details.
Read More →

