As the debate over red light ticket cameras is spreading to more and more states, politicians who are considering whether or not to use them have been looking at the data provided by those who have had programs in place for years. The rhetoric that we hear a lot is that you can either have ticket cameras or unsafe intersections. Since it’s presented as an either/or, the debate has been limited to either ‘for’ or ‘against’ with no other options. In actuality, we can work to make intersections safer in many different ways.
We previously covered a story that revealed that ticket cameras DON’T make anyone safer and actually increase the number and severity of crashes, but that’s not even the point. If we assume that the motivation for the red light cameras is actually to increase safety and not an unethical cash-grab, then there are many other more effective ways for towns and cities to be decreasing intersection accidents.
Jim Walker, a consultant for the National Motorists Association presented some surprising data.
“You can put in a camera, and after one year the typical reduction rate is 40 to 50 percent,” Walker told Land Line. “If you add a second to yellow you will normally achieve a 60 to 90 percent reduction rate in one day, but it guts the revenue stream.”
According to the data (and common sense), it seems as though we may be attacking the symptom instead of the source. I’d bet that the vast majority of people reading this have gone through an intersection while the light was red, but how many of us have thought “you know, I could stop safely, but I really just want to run that red light.” People are running reds not because they want to, but because yellow lights simply don’t last long enough.
Another way to drastically increase intersection safety while also keeping traffic moving as quickly as possible is to install backplates to traffic lights. According to Walker, this can lower red-light violations by nearly 50%.
OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer also weighed in on the topic, reiterating that the only reason to use red light cameras was as a source of revenue.
“If you re-engineer lights for inexpensive changes, you would do more for safety than can be accomplished with a camera, but it won’t make any money. Engineering for safety is not profitable.”
So: the honest truth about ticket cameras? They’re more expensive, more dangerous, cause more accidents, and are less effective than adding a one second to the time of a yellow light or installing backplates. The only reason to use them is to fleece money from drivers.
Next Story: FMCSA: CSA Data “Not Perfect”
Source: landline
Amyone thay thinks any traffic law is made for safety and not for revenue……well, just keep on in your imaginary world.
I live in Toledo,Ohio, let me start by saying that this state and every state should outlaw the use of license plate covers, the only reason they are on a vehicle is to avoid someone identifying a plate number.
I drive truck in Toledo area I am a local p/d driver, and on daily bases i see people and yes a few trucks going through red lights. Many times I have seen the light be RED and a vehicle with plenty of time to get stopped will just keep right on going.
In my opinion this city should not only have the red light cameras but the yellow light should start flashing for a few seconds before going red, if you are caught going through a red and don’t get in an accident, you should get a $500.00 fine and 5 pts, and go up from there, oh by the way I have even seen Toledo Police cars go through red lights, and once I saw an officer put on his lights go through the light and turn them back off.
If they would enforce what they are used for by fines, suspensions, and jail time for repeat offenders they will have people stop running lights
i once recieved a mailed ticket due to my car running a red light at a photo-ticket intersection…i asked 2 lawyers and 1 law enforcement officer what i should do, as i was not the one driving my car…all 3 told me the exact same thing..IGNORE IT, THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE…all 3 said that for the ticket for the infraction to hold any merit in a court of law, the infraction had to be witnessed by a law enforcement officer, or two or more actual witnesses…i ignored it…it was resent to my house several times then stopped…i checked my driving record many times afterward and never did the charge for running the light, or any charge for failing to pay the fine ever show up…they hope, we, as sheep should, would do exactly as the herder pleases, and will hurry up and sit down and write a check….its called robbery by intimidation i think…just ignore it….enough ignore it it will go away….
Be ware some states treat that like a parking ticket. When you re-register you vehicle you may not be able to unless the fines are paid. That is how NY handles all those parking tickets you get in NYC and don’t pay for.
Simplest answer to distracted drivers running red lights.Sue the cell phone manufacturers and the service carriers for billions of dollars,then make cell phones that will not work,unless you are moving at less than 3MPH(Avg Walking Speed).Then people won’t be distracted anymore.(I’m being sarcastic).Red Light Cameras make some people more aware,but with the “F’ the Law attitudes anymore,people can find a lawyer that will beat the charge on the fact that you can’t see the drivers face for full identity.You can’t give a ticket to an inanimate object,otherwise all politicians would be covered in tickets for DUI or SWI(stupid while intoxicated).
Driving with a Class A / CDL for 45 years!
Never thought I’d live to see the day ANYONE would notice much less admit that yellow lights are (often) too short. Tie the yellows timing to the traffics speed limit as is sometimes the case and get rid of all 1 second+/- yellows.
Uniformity is the answer to this whole topic.
The purpose of lights is to control traffic flow with the goal being “no” accidents, not as a revenue stream for the jurisdiction.
I am an OTR semi driver, and a very safe one at that. I think it is a great idea to lengthen the yelllow light time. I have been caught in between red and yellow b4 and for me it is a very unsafe position to be in. It is particularly dangerous on state and U.S. highways. One remidy I do very much like is the flashing yellow with the warning sign telling a driver the status of the signal. The most important issue out here is safety, hands down. One thing that makes zero sense though is truck speed differing from car speed. All in does is make for more lane changes for the 4 wheeler. All they want to do is get around you. That in and of its self creates greater risk. I know, I have had many flip me off while talking on thier cell phones as they tromp on the gas to get by me. Who really is the culprite of bad driving habits?
We previously covered a story that revealed that ticket cameras DON’T make anyone safer and actually increase the number and severity of crashes, but that’s not even the point…………
um…politicians are constantly saying the want to increase saftey on roads…so any discusion of how they dont actually is the point.
if you keep red light cameras and lengthen yellow lights would that not increase safety and bring revenue or civil penalties payed by offenders??
Who really is the culprite of bad driving habits?”””
bad drivers.
Have a flashing light that comes on one or two hundred yards before the actual intersection light, so that if you see that flashing light you know you have to stop. This is especially important on roads that have speed limits of 40-60 mph. It gives you some notice if you can make the light or not.
I have seen this setup in Lincoln,NE and it works great, especially if you are in a big truck.
I would think this would cut out running red light and accidents considerably.
Sadly most people can’t or wont stop driving and get out and do something else..We got all mixed up on the “who needs, who thing” Let’r sett on the dock’s/shipper’s (Your stuff can set until we figure out Who needs who) NY wants more toll money??? Stop going to Ny city let’em go hungry,Higher fuel prices to run food to ppl who can’t drive a truck to get their own,Have DOT in your wallet then to have the Co. we run for rip us off at the end of the week or per the mile… Who needs Who??? If you REALLY want a change WE need to force a change and stop being kicked around by EVERYONE including some kid working in a warehouse that NEEDS to get it shipped but wants to do it after “break”…..
If your a safe driver which everyone claims to be, whats the problem? If your car gets booked and your not driving who was? If the person driving your car cant be trusted to own up to red light fines and the like then why lend the car on the first place. Flashing yellow lights before intersection is always the best way but some ignore the warning therefore deserve to be booked.
Some egghead somewhere thunk it up;
Some politician somewhere thought it worth a go;
Then politicians EVERYWHERE saw the CASH FLOW!
I’m in on Fridays and Saturdays. Remember to tip your waitresses!
That doesn’t work in Texas. If you don’t pay the fine, they will not let you re-register your vehicle. It will also go on your credit report. They GOT ya coming and going I’m afraid.
That won’t work in Texas. If you don’t pay the fine you can’t register your car at the DMV. It also goes on your credit report. They get ya coming and going I’m afraid.
As has been said previous, most laws and limits are for revenue. Most are also aimed at trucks. The country has forgotten that the primary purpose of all highways is Commerce, the movement of goods and materials. The Interstate System was mandated on improving the efficiency of commercial and military transportation. Yet we have lane restrictions, diferential speeds, and limiters on the trucks, because a bunch of lobbyists, who call themselves Safety Advocates, have poured money into the coffers of congress. These are nothing but a bunch of people who hate trucks and don’t stop to think they are totally dependant on them for everything they buy. For reasons beyond logic, they don’t make the connection between the trucks on the highway, and the food on the shelves, or the clothes on the racks.
3 ways to red light safety, 1) add a count down display like the walk/ don’t walk, 2) add extra time to the yellow light and 3) timing the lights so on main roads you don’t have to stop at each one. ( go, stop, go, stop ). Will this happen? NO! the government will keep this dishonest rip off going. We need good strong lawyers to stand up and help us fight this stuff.
If you read you history back into the 1860 s president. Grant got a speeding ticket which he paid. And it was admitted that the speed limit was to generate money.
Lawyers are part of the revenue. The language of most law requires a lawyer to decipher. It’s all moot. Just ways to waste, then need more revenue to study it. You guys know, be safe, legal, and don’t be late. Remember, all the handbook rules are at an officers discretion, so stop breaking the rules!
not true at all the will issue an arrest warrent for the owner of the truck…as that is what happen to me and i had to pay the ticket or go to jail because i did not tell them the driver of the truck!!!!
John S. You are absolutely correct in your observation and history!! Thank yo for bringing it out.