The day is coming when you could get a ticket in the mail for running a red light at selected intersections in Manteca.

It will include information on the location, when it occurred, and the speed you were traveling at based on radar readings.

And there will be something that older red light camera technology didn’t have.

That “something” is information on accessing a website that will allow you to see a high quality video showing various angles of your vehicle — including the traffic signal sequence.

And the price for that video?  It’s a $490 ticket for running a red light.

The City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a contract with American Traffic Solutions to install red light cameras at five intersections — among them are Airport Way at Daniels and Louise Avenue at Main Street — and possibly up to seven.

The goal is to reduce carnage, injuries and even deaths as well as cut down on the number of near misses of intersection collisions.

“If we prevent one injury, one death, it is worth it,” noted Councilman Charlie Halford.

The retired police chief said it is “difficult and dangerous” for officers to observe red light runners and then pursue them to get them to pullover.

Mayor Gary Singh added that even if there were more officers it would still not be enough manpower to get a handle on red light runners.

Last year, there were 177 intersection collisions out of more than 1,000 traffic accidents in Manteca.

Police Chief Steve Schluer addressed a concern raised at a previous meeting about those making right turns  on a red light being issued tickets for red light running.

Schluer noted the system does not record cases where vehicles come to a full stop as required by law on a red light and then — once checking to make sure it is safe to do so — proceed to take a right turn.

Tracy earlier this month opted to use the same red light camera system

Fremont  is upgrading to it and Modesto plans to do so as well given it effectively address all issues with older red light camera systems.

Unlike older red light camera systems, the American Traffic Solutions uses radar and the latest high resolution cameras technology.

Twelve seconds prior to the light turning red, the system starts recording traffic as it approaches the intersection.

Still frames are captured if any part of a vehicle intrudes past the limit line — typically the marking of the crosswalk closest to the approaching car — when the light turns red.

Those still frames include ones that zero in in the driver as well as the license plate.

At the same time, the video is “stamped” with the speed the radar reads as the vehicle runs the red light.

The recording continues as the vehicle continues through the intersection.

All if that information is packaged together and forwarded to the Manteca Police Department.

At the police department, a traffic unit officer will look at the information.

They will check the photo of the driver from the camera system against the photo of the driver’s license of the registered owner whose information is on file with the DMV.

Once everything meets the standard required to make sure it would pass muster with a judicial review, the officer OKs the company to go ahead and mail a citation with the photographic evidence and accompanying data such as speed, location, and time to the driver.

Typically, 70 percent of the potential red light violations the company cues up for more than 300 client law enforcement agencies results in tickets being authorized.

The city’s agreement with American Traffic Solutions is cost neutral.

That means the city’s less than 25 percent share of a $490 red light running ticket will go into a specific account.

The city will be billed on a monthly basis by a set amount for each approach to an intersection that will have cameras installed.

The money collected from red light tickets will be moved into an account to cover contract expenditures.

If at the end of the year, the city doesn’t collect enough revenue to cover the accumulated per approach camera charges, the remaining debt is wiped out.

If the amount exceeds the cost, the funds are transferred into another city account to be spent on other law enforcement purposes.

There will be signs installed at the approach to intersections warning there are red light cameras.

Once the camera system becomes operational, there will be a 30-day period where all violators are sent the data collected for running a red light — even if it is a California rolling stop — attached with a warning in lieu of a $490 fine.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com