Two cheers for red-light cameras?
From the Chicago Tribune:
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. . . we have little sympathy for the scofflaws who complain that all those red-light cameras are the urban equivalent of speed traps. . .
Results are similarly inconsistent elsewhere, perhaps because there’s not a lot of data to work with. In some places, the cameras seem to have had the unintended effect of increasing the number of rear-end collisions, as motorists slam on the brakes to avoid a ticket and get hit from behind. Do red-light cameras make our streets safer? The jury’s still out. . . Drivers are particularly incensed that so many tickets are issued — at $100 a pop — for making a right turn on red without coming to a full stop. . . [Illinois] Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano, R- Elmwood Park, is pushing a measure that would prohibit using the cameras to issue right-on-red violations. . . We don’t think lawmakers ought to be in the business of telling local governments which traffic violations are serious and which ones can be blown off if nobody gets hurt. . . [AO: It is against the law to run a red light. Drivers should avoid running red lights or engaging in other driving habits that are dangerous to themselves and other motorists. When drivers engage in illegal driving habits, law enforcement officers and municipalities must take corrective action. However, whatever acion they take must not produce more harm than good. The jury is still out on whether red-light cameras cause more rear-end collisions at intersections where they are installed. Yet, the harm sought to be prevented by the red-light cameras, broadside collisions, is so severe that even with conflicting evidence regarding an increase in rear-end collisions, it may be reasonable to use red-light cameras. In general, rear-end collisions are not as dangerous as broadside collisions. But what about right-on-red violations? The harm that is being prevented by right-on-red violations come nowhere close to the harm that can result from a broadside collision. Indeed, drivers are allowed to turn right-on-red. The only requirement, and the reason for the fine, is that they don’t come to a complete stop before turning right on read. Such a fine may be appropriate but not when you consider that it may increase rear-end collisions. In short, we agree with the Tribune’s argument in favor of red-light cameras to stop drivers who run red lights. We think the potential for increased rear-end collisions is insufficient as a reason to prohibit these safety devices. However, when it comes to right-on-red turns, we think the potential for increased rear-end collisions is reason enough to prohibit use of red-light cameras to ticket drivers for those violations.] |
The cameras are pitched as safety devices, and traffic engineers swear they are effective. The idea is to reduce crashes –especially deadly broadside collisions — by discouraging drivers from blowing through red lights. But local [Illinois] statistics don’t support that theory. In fact, they’re all over the map. . . Read the full opinion HERE.
