Newberg Moves Forward with Red-Light Camera Program at Villa Road Intersection

By Rebecca Wallis

NEWBERG, OR – September 23, 2024

The City of Newberg is advancing its red-light and speed enforcement program with the installation of cameras at the intersection of Hwy 99W and Villa Road. This new initiative aims to address traffic safety issues in key areas of the city, beginning with this busy intersection. According to a recent press release, the cameras will be operational in October 2024, pending approval of construction permits from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

The cameras at Villa Road will monitor westbound traffic on Hwy 99W for red-light violations, as well as vehicles turning westbound onto Hwy 99W from Hwy 219/Villa Road. The City of Newberg has prioritized these intersections due to ongoing concerns about traffic violations and safety risks.

The red-light camera program is part of a larger effort initiated by the city in 2021 to improve traffic safety along Newberg’s primary thoroughfare, Hwy 99W. The city identified several key intersections for improvement, including those at First Street and Main Street, Hancock at Main Street, and Villa Road at Hwy 99W. However, progress has varied across these intersections. While the Villa Road cameras are moving forward, the installation of red-light cameras at First and Main Streets has been delayed. Chief of Police Jeff Kosmicki explained that “the traffic cameras that were going to be on Main and 1st Street are not coming to fruition. They have been denied because of the current signal equipment at that intersection.” Currently, the city does not plan to move forward with red-light cameras at Main Street.

The decision to focus efforts at Villa Road comes after thorough analysis of the intersection’s specific challenges. Chief Kosmicki noted the difficulty for officers to effectively enforce traffic violations at the intersection due to its layout and traffic flow. “This intersection is very difficult to sit at and be an effective use of an officer’s time,” said Kosmicki. The installation of cameras will allow for more efficient monitoring of red-light violations, helping to “create safer intersections and promote traffic safety.”

The cameras are designed to capture still images and short videos of vehicles that violate traffic signals. Violations are reviewed and certified by a Newberg police officer before a citation is issued. For red-light violations, drivers will be cited under ORS 811.265, “Fail to Obey a Traffic Control Device.” The fine for this violation in Newberg is $265. Out of this amount, $50 goes to the State of Oregon, $16 is forwarded to Yamhill County, and the remaining $199 is allocated to Newberg’s general fund.

While the red-light cameras are expected to help improve traffic compliance at Villa Road, Chief Kosmicki confirmed that the program will not reduce patrol hours on Hwy 99W. “The red-light cameras will not decrease the amount of time spent on Hwy 99W,” Kosmicki said. However, he expressed optimism that the cameras would lead to fewer crashes and safer driving in the area. “We are hoping for better compliance that will result in fewer crashes and safer driving.”

In 2023, the Newberg-Dundee Police Department issued 2,235 citations. Although Chief Kosmicki did not have specific data on the number of red-light violations issued, he mentioned that traffic enforcement remains a priority for the department. The introduction of the red-light cameras is expected to further bolster these efforts.

To ease the public’s transition to the new enforcement method, the city will implement a 30-day warning period once the cameras are activated. During this time, drivers who violate the traffic signals will receive warnings rather than citations. This grace period is designed to educate the public about the new system and ensure that it functions correctly before full enforcement begins.

The City of Newberg views this initiative as an important step in promoting traffic safety and reducing crashes in high-risk areas. Although only one intersection is moving forward at this time, the city will continue exploring other options to enhance safety across the community.

For more updates and information on the program, residents are encouraged to follow the City of Newberg’s website and social media channels.

Photo credit: Yamhill County News File