While the debate rages on, another possible solution is being tested for the prevention of accidents, not just the punishment of red-light violators. The cameras are showing some careless drivers that running red-lights can have serious consequences. The study shows that people are taking notice of the cameras one way or another. Based on the study, it seems that traffic cameras have reduced the rate of fatal accidents by almost 24% over a five-year period. Researchers then compared these rates with the red-light accident rates in cities with no traffic cameras. The study was conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and compared red-light related accidents both before and after the traffic cameras were installed in 40 large U.S. The only defense necessary for supporters of traffic cameras is that they promote safety and can reduce intersection accidents and a recent study may have proved just that. It also seems inevitable that there would be backlash from such a new concept, especially when fines can run in the hundreds of dollars. Opponents of the traffic camera feel that the cameras 1) were installed only to generate revenue 2) do not take traffic conditions or the driver’s safety background into account 2) that tickets are not given in a timely and sufficient manner and 4) that truly dangerous drivers will not be stopped immediately.Īnother big concern of traffic camera opponents is the invasion of privacy factor, which seems to be a concern in any matter involving the public and advanced technology. However, many people are convinced that red light cameras were installed only to generate revenue for the state, and feel that receiving a ticket in the mail, sometimes weeks after the violation, does nothing to prevent accidents.

With those kinds of statistics, it’s no surprise that traffic cameras have been popping up as the possible solution to the red light running problem. Red-light accidents account for almost a thousand wrongful deaths and nearly 90,000 personal injury cases each year. One of the top causes of car accidents in the United States is people who run red lights.

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