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Photo radar helps catch distracted drivers

Posted at 11:29 PM, May 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-04 01:49:33-04

The Castle Rock Police Department is among the 50 law enforcement agencies in the Denver Metro area using a new tool to crack down on speeders, seat belt violators and distracted drivers.

TruCam Laser captures violators on camera and replays the violations.  

“We are trying to slow people down,” said Castle Rock Traffic Unit Officer Justin Smith.

The new tool helps the officer clearly see what drivers are doing behind the wheel.

“You can see inside their car, if they are wearing their seat belt or if they are happening to be using their phone,” said Smith.

Officer Smith says majority of crashes happen at Meadows Parkway as a result of speed and distracted driving. They are now using the new technology to reduce accidents.

Unlike the old laser speed guns, Officer Smith says this makes it hard for violators to dispute traffic stops since the proof is caught on camera.

Smith says the department started using the new tool in February.

The department purchased the laser gun partially through a CDOT grant. The grant was $5,000 and tax payers paid $1,000 dollars.