Analysis: Red-Light Tickets Spike in Wilmington

A data analysis shows stricter enforcement of right turns on red lights has driven a spike in tickets through the Wilmington's red-light camera enforcement.

The analysis of city data by The News Journal found citations were up 44 percent overall for red-light tickets in the fiscal year ending June 30. Wilmington issued nearly 42,000 red-light tickets worth $4.6 million. In 2013, red-light citations declined 30 percent.

The change was driven by a 95 percent increase in the number of citations for right turns at red lights.

Wilmington officials say their enforcement hasn't changed. But independent traffic engineers say there's no other explanation for the sharp increase in citations.

The city has shifted responsibility for reviewing footage for citations from a team of police officers to one Finance Department employee.