Posted on Sunday 16 March 2008
We’ve all sped up at a yellow light only to slam the brakes upon seeing a traffic light camera ahead, or at least we’ve seen someone else do it. A new study has found that this phenomenon often leads to more accidents and injuries than would be caused without the cameras present.
Study author Barbara Orban from the University of South Florida claims traffic light cameras cause people who would otherwise run a yellow to do a quick stop and in doing so forces everybody else to do the same behind them. Orban told reporters from Canwest News that intersections with traffic light cameras actually saw an increase in rear-end collisions after the cameras were installed. “It all stems from people trying to avoid a ticket,” she said.
However, the study also found that the numbers of severe right angle, or T-bone, collisions – the kind the cameras are meant to prevent – were actually lowered. In fact, data collected between 2001 and 2003 showed a 24.9% drop in right-angle collisions and a 39.4% drop in crashes that caused injuries.
Either way, as long as the cameras keep bringing in revenue you can bet they’ll be here to stay.
I’m a little bit divided on this issue. I live in Miami where the yellow light is more of an invitation to accelerate and a red light something to beat if it’s been on for less than 3 seconds (and sometimes for more). I wish people would be more civilized.
On the other hand I have no wish to live in a place like London where these cameras serve their real function: to fill the coffers of the community they’re in.
If it reduces the side-impact accidents then it’s a good thing, period. Those are some of the most horrific accidents out there, and I’ve seen quite a few personally.
If it increases the bumper banging accidents, then those fools should keep more distance from the car in front of them.
People need to wake up and drive.
These are revenue enhancers. I have never seen any impartial study that supportrs the argument that red light cameras improve safety. There is more evidence to the contrary. The companies that install these cameras are private for profit companies. They share the ticket revenue and therefore their only motivation is to profit. That is exactly why they typically reduce the yellow light times from near 4 seconds to 3 seconds ( and in a few documented cases below 3 seconds). The city council members that approve these systems are being duped. Once the revenue starts pouring in there is no motovation to uninstall them other than lawsuits.
The installation of these cameras is insight into how most governments look for “free” money. Much like lotteries suck money from the lowest income earners, as well as pulling that money straight out of the economy. How hypocritical.
The difference here is we are physically putting people in danger for money. It’s disgusting.
No I am NOT a bit divided on this subject. Side impact accidents come from running red lights not yellow lights. They also come from drunks.
I’m a bit divided on this issue. I can’t deny the fact that this provides huge income to the companies that make these cameras as well as the government but these cameras make you think twice about trying to beat a light. We only have about 4 cameras in my area so it’s not much of an issue for me though.
Paul,
Please, don’t start with lotteries sucking money from the lowest income earners crap. People have the ability to make their own decisions. If they choose to spend what little money they have on lottery tickets then that’s their business. No one is holding a gun to their heads. Not to mention that a lot of poor people make very bad decisions in life like dropping out of school or using their little money on drugs or alcohol.
Paul, your argument is junk.
Side collisions also come from people who think they are going through a yellow and it actually turns red before they hit the intersection.
They also occur less when people stop more frequently at a yellow, preventing the fool who isn’t paying attention from simply blasting through the intersection.
And the cameras don’t provide any revenue from people who don’t run the light, so that’s just an imbicilic argument. If you don’t want to contribute to the coffers, here’s a concept: STOP.
And for those who do run the light, I’d be happier with a laser that blasts their car into oblivion, but a hefty fine and points might make them think twice next time..
Gus ,
I like your comments on this site, but how can you call my argument junk when you are arguing for compromising safety for safety?
Go look at fatal accident statisics (my state publishes them on the web) and you will see that failure to yield to signals is closer to the bottom of the list. In my state Drinking (obvious), failure to yield, improper lane change (this one contributed to 140 deaths, believe it or not), improper passing, inattention, physically impaired, exceeding speed, exceeding speed for conditions, and driving on wrong side of road all contribute more deaths than running signals (28 deaths by the way, and this doesn’t mean that drinking or something else was also a factor). So…allowing “bumper banging” in order to reduce one specific type of accident is silly.
I don’t tempt lights and I’m all for keeping the roads safe having lost 2 parents to a repeating drunk driver.
Some of the most deadly accidents happen at intersections, and anything that improves that is a good thing.
And it is not just a revenue generator if you can easily avoid it by stopping at the light.
A revenue generator is like the tax in London just for driving there, something that is not “easily” avoided.
That’s why I disagree with your previous argument.
This is just another case of shifting blame. Most drivers in the U.S. forget that a driver’s license is a privilege, not an entitlement. The daily driving ignorance of most not being able to see past their own nose is the cause of many traffic mishaps.
If a drivers didn’t follow so closely, then they wouldn’t have to panic when its time to stop.
Also, at least in the part of Chicago I live in there are as many drivers of foreign origin that also dont care about others and do what they want with a sense of impunity. The red light cameras have caused a significant reduction in that behavior as well.