A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that red light camera programs are an effective deterrent to red light running. The IIHS study found that implementing red light cameras lowers the rate of fatal crashes at intersections that are remotely enforced, but the rate increases if they are turned off. More than half of the fatalities caused by red light runners are pedestrians, cyclists, other motorists, or passengers. The IIHS has also issued a checklist to help communities successfully implement red light cameras.
red light cameras
New study reaffirms the child safety benefits of red light cameras
A study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference linked higher child death rates from motor vehicle crashes to several primary factors, including low rates of child seatbelt/car seat use and a lack of red light cameras. In addition to comparing child fatality and injury rates in cities that had red light cameras and those that did not have them, the study also looked at rates in cities that had removed or turned off the cameras and compared them to similar cities that had maintained them.
Fatal crashes spike after red light cameras are removed
Red light cameras save lives despite frequent controversy about the way programs are administered. Fourteen cities turned off their red light cameras from 2010 to 2014, resulting in a 30 percent increase in fatal crashes due to red light violations and a 16 percent increase in all types of fatal intersection crashes.
Red light cameras still popular with municipalities, but not drivers
Almost half the states allow red light cameras, and municipalities are increasingly installing them at intersections as tools to increase public safety. Despite public pushback concerning the cameras, and some hiccups with implementation, this technology should stay in place where it is established and be installed at problem intersections whenever possible. The clear improvements in safety and traffic operations provide a benefit to the public and the best argument for accepting the utility of red light cameras.
Red light cameras dropped in L.A.
Photoenforcement of red light violations has never been popular and, in L.A., has not been enforced by traffic courts. As a result, the project has been losing money and the city’s police commission has decided …
Red light cameras dropped in L.A.
Photoenforcement of red light violations has never been popular and, in L.A., has not been enforced by traffic courts. As a result, the project has been losing money and the city’s police commission has decided …