Use of Red Light cameras to Catch Runners/Speeders
There has been a lot of debate since the introduction of red light camera use to stop speeders and runners. The red light camera uses technology that allows a camera mounted at red light intercession to take pictures of vehicles that run red lights. The main reason cameras are used is to enable law enforcement to catch those who violate traffic laws and give issue them citations. These red light cameras are able to capture the vehicle and its particulars including the driver and the number plates of the vehicles. Red light cameras are in use in many of the states and are also used in other countries.
There are those who feel that the cameras are a good method of enforcing traffic laws and that they will be better for everyone especially in the areas that the cameras are installed. There are others who feel that the cameras do not achieve what they are meant to do and that they are therefore not playing a better role in reducing red light running or speeding. However this paper will show that there are pros of recognizable positive changes that have been effected by the cameras despite the challenges that the camera’s pose to the areas in which they are used. These advantages make it quite useful to have the red light cameras because of their benefits.
According to the US Department of transport, one of the key pros of having the red light cameras is that they reduce accidents. This is especially true in intercessions where the cameras are installed. According to a report by the department there has been marked reduction in the numbers of side accidents at intercessions. In their report, the US department indicated that there was a reduction in crashes with the least recorded reduction being in Florida state standing at 7.3 percent, while the highest reduction were reported in New York standing at 70 percent in one location. One benefit of this lower numbers of accidents is that they also save costs of road accidents and personal injuries. Other countries have also had collaborative findings.
The US Department also noted that other countries recorded lower crashes at camera points as well. Some of these countries like HongKong and Singapore had as much as 40 percent reduction of violation while some like Canada had 73 percent. In a newspaper article by The Hawaii Reporter, there have been arguments stating that red lights contribute to rear end accidents (5). However, according to the paper the reduction in other accidents is much higher (7). According to PA Consulting Group which was contracted by the government in London to put together report based on an experiment of with red light cameras, there was a reduction in injuries as well with personal injuries due to use of red light cameras. The PA Consulting Group reported that accidents dropping by 33 percent where the cameras were located (2). Less people died as well by about 40 percent (2).
The UK government attributed the rates particularly to low cases of speeding at the camera site which fell by about 80 percent. There was noticed a clear relationship between the reduced deaths and reduced speeds (2). PA Consultation reported that the savings attributed to costs of accident which would have been incurred were estimated at £221 million (2). costs attributed Since at most camera sites there are warnings of the presence of the camera motorists are deterred from speeding or jumping red lights. This has been one of the reasons for the reductions. In addition the fines that come with evidence of the violation the violations deter motorists. The cameras have been especially helpful since they are utilized in areas with a history of accidents or near schools.
Another reason for the use of red light camera is the lessening in numbers of speed violation. In a report that was carried out in the UK there was marked reduced in the speed. The report covered areas that had cameras for more than a year and recorded the trends. According to PA consulting group which did the report for the government, there was a reduction in speed by as much as 32 percent in new camera locations (2). In addition there was reported a reduction in speeding by as much as 72 percent in fixed areas. In the US according to the US Department of transport there were reduced violations. This lessening of violations was reported to be ranging from above 20 percent in some states to just below 84 percent in other states. The state with the least recorded reduction in violations was North Carolina while the state with the highest number of lowered violations was Michigan.
One of the benefits of using red light cameras is that the camera are able to capture images of violation. This leads to fining of offenders who might otherwise have escaped. Although giving citation to the offenders may not be the primary reason for the red light camera they play a role in ensuring that violators know they will not get away with running lights. In addition the revenue that is created through the system allow cities to pay for the companies that run the system. According to the US Department report, cities and states operate under different methods in installing and operating the red light systems. According to the US Department of transport some states pay for the costs through the state transport department while in others it is counties or cities that pay for the red light system by paying agencies that run them. This has allowed the government to use little resources for the systems since they too generate income that sustain them. This is an advantage because it reduces the cost while improving road safety. The fact that the red lights catch additional speeder to the traffic policemen mean additional income for the states.
Another reason for the use of red light cameras is that they record information that can be used to enhance transport. According a DFT Circular by the Department of Transport in London, red light cameras can be used to gather data that can be used for additional purposes (1). Some of these purposes are observing traffic (1). In the US, according to a Federal Highway Administration report, the use of video cameras in helps important information like traffic flow to be generated as well as information about drivers. This and other data gathered by the camera can help make decisions that enhance road safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration national Highway Traffic Administration reports that cameras can also give clues as to the cause of violations (5).
For instance the report quotes types of intercession as possible causes of accidents (5). If the cameras reveal some types of intercessions as seeing more accidents than others it can help figure out if there are reasons behind the accidents. Due to data that has been previously been gathered from red light cameras, some states decided that adding the all red signal time was helpful in avoiding accidents by delaying the green light for the sake of those who had not cleared the intercessions(8). In addition longer yellow signals have been reported to lower red light violations (9).
The red light cameras have also been used to provide data about accidents. According to US Department of transport this data often shows the offenders and the cameras record how the accidents happen. This is helpful in traffic enforcement and for the parties involved. While traffic police may be able to issues citations and may not witness accurately accident scenes, the red light cameras can accomplish this. According to the federal Highway Administration National Highway Traffic safety Administration the collective data from different areas can form data which is helpful in producing education programs (6). For instance data gathered can show types of cars that most likely cause accidents and driving patterns that are risky. The public benefits from the red light camera data through the education in public forums that aim to educate the public.
From the evidence of usefulness of the red light cameras, it can be concluded that they are an important part of law enforcement. Red light cameras help law enforcement catch most of the offenders. The accuracy of the cameras and the fact that they can be used in many places make it a cost effective way of keeping roads safe. The fact that red light cameras are playing a deterrent role in traffic law violation will help make roads safer. While there remains a lot of studies to establish more about the red light cameras it is clear from statistics that the cameras have been more helpful than hurtful to road safety. The public opinion still remains divided about the red cameras. However, with time it will become clear to what extent red light cameras contribute to keeping drivers, other road user and pedestrians safe.
Works cited
US Department of Transportation. Automated Enforcement of Traffic Signals: A Literature
review. 2001. Web. 21st November, 2010.
Department For Transport. Use of Speed and Red Light camera for Traffic Enforcement:
Guidance on Deployment, Visibility and Signing. 2007. Web. 21st November, 2010.
Federal Highway Administration National Highway Safety Administration. Guidance for Using
Red Light Cameras. 2003. Web. 21st November, 2010.
PA Consulting Group. The National Safety Camera Program. 2004. Web. 21st November, 2010.
Zimmerman, Malia. Hawaii Lawmakers Ignore key Evidence That red Light cameras Increase
Accidents. The Hawaii Reporter. 2005. Web. 21st November, 2010.
