The city of Eugene is researching whether to install red light cameras at some of its most dangerous intersections, joining a growing list of Oregon cities turning to automated enforcement to reduce traffic deaths.
In an announcement this week, the city's public works staff said they are exploring the use of red light cameras at three to five of Eugene's highest crash intersections. Officials have not yet selected specific locations, and they said there is no timeline or funding in place for startup costs.
According to city officials, there were 81 fatal or serious injury crashes in Eugene between 2020 and 2024 in which running a red light was a contributing factor. The cameras are one of several recommendations in Eugene's Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and reduce serious crashes.
The devices under consideration use radar to detect whether a driver is traveling 11 mph or more over the speed limit or runs a red light. When a likely violation is detected, the camera captures an image. That is a key distinction from automatic license plate readers, which photograph every vehicle that passes.
That distinction may matter locally. Eugene, Springfield and Lane County all ended their contracts with the automatic license plate reader company Flock last year, following widespread public outcry over warrantless searches, privacy concerns and fears that the data could be abused by the federal government or others.
Red light cameras are not new to Oregon. The cities of Bend and Portland already have the devices in place.
In a video posted alongside the announcement, Associate Transportation Planner Logan Telles said it is possible that future citations could help cover the cost of the cameras and enforcement.
A City Council discussion on the proposal is scheduled for Nov. 18. City officials said they hope to begin gathering public feedback now, and a link to a questionnaire is available on the project's webpage.
