Traffic Cameras for Safety or Profit?
A recent article on Ride Lust examined several studies of red-light cameras which found that they can actually decrease safety, increase the number of accidents and increase auto insurance rates. The studies reveal that traffic cameras do more to service city revenues than public safety. In fact, in six U.S. cities studied, including Chattanooga, yellow-light durations have actually been shortened on lights with cameras.
Apparently, the findings have been known for some time. A 2001 paper by the Office of the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives reported that red-light cameras are “a hidden tax levied on motorists.” The report came to the same conclusions that all of the other valid studies have, that red-light cameras are associated with increased crashes and that the timings at yellow lights are often set too short to increase tickets for red-light running.
In addition to the obvious revenue implications, traffic cameras can also serve as a tool to provide an illusion of greater security. There was a tremendous amount of “think of the kids” rhetoric swirling about before cameras were added to the Hixson S-Curves. But are the cameras actually making us safer? According to these studies, no.
What’s your take?
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