The fairness and the effectiveness of red-light cameras has always been questioned. Some say that the huge revenue potential that traffic enforcement cameras have is the biggest factor motivating authorities to use them, rather than the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
Authorities, for their part, insist that these cameras are just a tool for improving safety at intersections, which are among the most common locations for traffic accidents.
Having the Opposite Effect
Law enforcement authorities claim that the main purpose of red light cameras is to improve traffic safety, by encouraging people to drive safely and within the speed limits, and preventing drivers from running a red light. But, there are a lot of arguments going against these claims, and a lot of proponents saying that traffic violation cameras actually increase the risk of accidents, making drivers nervous and often forcing them to stop even in situations where they could have kept driving, fearing that they could get a ticket for a red-light violation.
Oftentimes, drivers slam on their brakes in order to avoid getting a ticket whenever they approach a red light camera, despite having enough time to drive through the intersection before the light turns red. Red light cameras force many people to stop abruptly, which causes them to get hit by the vehicle behind them. These cameras are one of the most common reasons for rear-end collisions, and there is actually some quite compelling statistics that show that traffic violation cameras deteriorate road safety.
Increased Accidents in Chicago
A recent study conducted in Chicago, the city with the most comprehensive red light camera program in the country, which was published by the Chicago Tribune, found that the number of rear-end injury collisions has increased by 22% at intersections that had red light cameras, compared to the period before they were installed. On the other hand, the study also claims that the program raised over $500 million in tickets since 2002, with each red-light ticket costing $100. As such, they are an important source of revenue for local authorities across the nation.
This suggests that red light cameras might actually be all about the money, and helping authorities collect more money off tickets, while touting the safety benefits they might provide.
The bottom line is that traffic violation cameras can’t do anything to prevent red-light running, as they are simply a tool for sanctioning this violation. What’s more, they often make drivers stop suddenly, risking getting rear-ended in the process. However, some opponents of red-light cameras do say that they can be effective if authorities put signs warning drivers that there is a traffic enforcement camera down the road, which would help make them slow down on time and stop at the intersection when they get there, instead of running a red light.