More cities within the U.S. are relying on red light video cameras. Red light video cameras are looked upon by most motorists as money cows instead of traffic safety equipment. However, new research has proven that not only do red light cameras raise money, they contribute directly to a reduction in deadly crashes. The short term installment loans that cities had to take out in order to put up these surveillance cameras have proven to be worth it.
Less traffic deaths with red light camcorders in place
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety accounts that the red light surveillance cameras do what they are supposed to in cities. The research industry did a study that was released explained the number of traffic fatalities went down within the five years that red light camcorders have been in intersections. There has been a 26 percent decrease. Within the research, research data from 2004 to 2008 were compared together with accident data from 14 large cities with the 48 others that don't have the red light camcorders. There was a severe drop within the traffic deaths for both categories while deadly crash deaths dropped faster in red light camera cities. A decrease in rear-end collisions were shown with the red light video cameras. However, the T-bone collisions dropped significantly.
The numbers for red light cameras
Red light surveillance camera statistics within the research also drew on traffic accident data recorded by the federal government. In 2009, 2.2 million crashes occurred at intersections, about 41 percent of all crashes. About 81,112 individuals were really hurt and 7,358 were killed in those crashes. About 676 of the fatalities and 113,000 of the injuries were caused by red lights being run. About 64 percent of the people who perished, including passengers, other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, were killed by the person running the red light. The researchers suggest that about 815 lives would have been saved if there had been red light cameras used in all 99 cities.
Revenue red light video cameras bring in
When it comes to revenue, red light surveillance cameras are great for cities. Millions of dollars in revenue are made off of them. About $7.2 million in revenue was made from June 2009 to Might 2010 by Washington D.C. This was solely off of the 85,678 red light citations that were made. In the United States about half the states permit red light cameras. There were a few cities that installed them in 2000. These included 25 cities. Now, there are many more people that use red light cameras. In fact, 500 cities use them. The National Motorists Association, a long-time critic of red light cameras, said that longer yellow lights would make intersections safer. Red light video cameras have been banned in many cities with voter initiatives. This was done calling the cameras invasion of privacy.
Information from
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020100021.html?wpisrc=nl_headline
Wall Street Journal
blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2011/02/01/red-light-cameras-get-a-boost/
Fair Warning
fairwarning.org/2011/02/red-light-cameras-save-hundreds-of-lives-on-roads-report-says/
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