At midnight last night the infamous speed cams that viewed so many Arizona freeways were shut off. Originally put up in 2008 the cameras fell far short of their estimated potential revenue and the contract with their provider was allowed to expire.

Redflex, the company behind the cameras, has until November to finish removing all of the 78 cameras around Arizona. The company states it will keep the cameras up for another month to gather speed information despite the suspended use. [read more...]

A controversial new program by the Arizona Department of Public Safety is now underway, where 100 mobile photo vans and fixed cameras are automatically scanning for speeders, and issuing tickets through the mail.

In a concession to critics, traffic tickets issued by these automated systems will not be subject to points that can impact your license status, or insurance rates. According to statements issued, if you simply pay the speeding fines ($165 plus a 10% surcharge), no other fees or penalties are assessed.

Gov. Janet Napolitano shrugged off suggestions that this is a pure revenue driven effort. She claims that statistics show that when these camera systems are deployed, accidents go down, and public safety is enhanced.

Update: Much more here.