Red Light Cameras Fail to Improve Safety

1 May, 2007 2 Comments

There is a great deal of debate amongst car enthusiasts about the effectiveness of Speed and Red light cameras, whilst studies have shown that Speed cameras do little to improve safety, not many studies have focused on Red light cameras, until now.

One year has past in Rhode Island (USA) where a set of fifteen red light cameras were installed and so far statistics show they have failed to produce any measurable safety benefits despite claims from the authorities when the devices were installed.

So what happens now? There will be even more cameras to city streets for safety reasons. As Mayor David N. Cicilline stated in a March 23, 2006 press release, the program’s initial goal was,

“deterring people from causing accidents by running red lights.”

Of course, whilst the accident rate has not declined at all, revenues raised from the Red light Cameras are progressing according to plan. With a projected revenue of $1.9 million for the year. The authorities are a little below target with $648,825 so far. Hence the need for more red light cameras.

So far the company running the whole system has made $153,673. Complaints have come in from residents suggesting that the Cameras are merely there to raise revenue and statistics show no improvement to safety.

“It is thus in their best interest — as well as the city’s — to have people running red lights. This is precisely the opposite of what the city’s goal should be — ensuring better safety at dangerous intersections.”

But there is still hope, there is a possibility the red light camera program could come to an end as the legislation authorizing their existence expires in July 2008.

Australia is in a similar boat, the state governments have never released an independent study showing that red light cameras have reduced accidents, and unfortunately for us there are no plans to eradicate the cameras.

Source : Rhode Island News

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2 Responses to “Red Light Cameras Fail to Improve Safety”

Rick Says:
May 1st, 2007 at 9:08 pm
for mine red light cameras add to the road risks. ever caught yourself stopping behind someone stopping for an orange? an orange you though you could drive through?

I know i have.
(Report)
Lazybones Says:
May 2nd, 2007 at 11:01 am
While i’d never defend a speed camera. Those who jump red lights deserve everthing they get. I was almost run down at a ped crossing by a young lady who jumped the light while still on her mobile.

“an orange you though you could drive through?” - Doesn’t orange mean stop if its safe to do so? not “Come on have a go, if you think your hard enough!”

What about when your stuck in an intersection turning right, waiting for the lights to change. You see the orange, but wait a second the idiot in the oncoming traffic isn’t stopping but racing the light at the risk of hitting you.
(Report)