McKenzie Officials Happy To Lose Revenue
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The City of McKenzie placed speed cameras along Highway 79 in July. Since then, the city has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of ticket violations given. So far, the city said it is satisfied with the results. “The cameras are doing what we intended for them to do in the first place, reduce the speeding in that area. It reduces a number of accidents,” said Vice Mayor Gene Hale. ” I don’t believe we have had nearly as many accidents since the cameras have been enforced because they have to slow down,” said Resident Janice Smith. The highway runs right through a residential area, and residents who live along Highway 79 said they are grateful. Slowing down is especially important for drivers because the roadway does not have any turn lanes. “We don’t intend to take them out as long as it slows people down, and from these figures it’s definitely slowing people down” said Hale. The numbers have been dropping steadily. In October, the city dished out more than 1200 tickets and collected $30,000. That number dropped to 566 tickets, bringing in $18,000 in November and in December only 381 tickets were written and $15,000 in revenue was take in. In all, officials said making money was never their goal. Another huge problem for drivers in McKenzie was Highway 79’s fluctuating speeds. Officials said they have set the speed limit at 40 miles per hour throughout the city to eliminate confusion.
