TCPR right about red light cameras
In a study released late last year about the effects of red light cameras, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research revealed that red light cameras often do more harm than good. Justin Owen, co-author of the report, writes:
“The argument that red light cameras increase safety is preposterous. The only thing that increases is the amount of money going from the pockets of drivers into the pockets of the cities and the red light camera companies.”
Kleinheider included the report in his aggregation for 22 September 2008. What Owen argued in the report was that the installation of red light cameras actually increases the number of collisions, not decreases them – as experts said.
At the time, local media balked at TCPR’s claim. Local police scoffed at TCPR’s research, but alas! the Murfreesboro Police Department released its report today:
The crash data reported from the monitored intersections during the first 12 months of the program indicates that side impact crashes have decreased from 71 in 2007/2008 to 63 in 2008/2009, a decrease of 11.27 percent. For the same intersections during this time period, rear-end crashes increased from 102 in 2007/2008 to 126 in 2008/2009, an increase of 24 crashes or 23.53 percent.
That, ladies an gentlemen, is a net increase of 16 crashes. Also in the report:
The remaining 25 reports listed “other” (17 reports), “inattentive” (4 reports), “careless driving” (1 report), “driving under the influence” (1 report), failure to obey traffic control device (1 report) and failure to maintain lane (1 report) as the contributing driver actions.
TCPR argued that the issue at hand was not – in fact – traffic safety, rather it was about revenue increases. What does MPD say?
During the period of July 5, 2008 through June 30, 2009, a total of 19,995 citations were issued, which resulted in a total of $1,296,607.50 in fines and penalties. Through June 30, fines and penalties of $790,272.97 have been collected.
Payments received from red light violations are used in part to offset the cost of the installation and maintenance of the cameras.
“The primary goal of this program continues to be safety,” Chief of Police Glenn Chrisman stated.
Is Chief Chrisman lying?
4 comments
I’m still fuming at the title of the DNJ’s article on the subject today: “Traffic cameras put dent in side-impact crashes” Way to either completely miss the point, or support the government’s thieving revenue collection, DNJ.
I’m still fuming at the title of the DNJ’s article on the subject today: “Traffic cameras put dent in side-impact crashes” Way to either completely miss the point, or support the government’s thieving revenue collection, DNJ.
Oops, should have mentioned good post! Waiting for the next post!
I’m not sure what’s going on, but I didn’t make that second post.
My column today in the DNJ addresses this issue.
http://www.dnj.com/article/20090726/OPINION02/907260313/1015/SHIRLEY++Red+light+cameras+aren+t+the+problem
It’s not the number of accidents that affects the safety argument but the severity of them. I think any reduction in side impacts outweighs the modest increase in rear end impacts.
Adjusting the yellow light timing merits consideration. But at what point do you draw the line. Increasing the yellow light by one second may decrease accidents by 40%, but I bet increasing the yellow light by 5 seconds (note the exageration) would decrease accidents even more. Why doesn’t someone suggest this?
Maybe because, at some point, the responsibility lies with the driver to pay attention. I’ve never received a red light ticket because I’m aware of my surroundings. If the light ahead has been green for a long time and the traffic pattern is such (no traffic in my lane(s) while perpendicular lanes have lots of vehicles) I anticipate that the light may change before I get there and I therefore start to slow down or at least prepare for a decision in the “Dilemma Zone”. It’s no longer a “split second” decision if I’ve prepared for it in the preceding two seconds.
Basically, the drivers who are ticketed at red light cameras have no one to blame but themselves. Stop speeding. Stop tailgating. Hang up your phone. Change your radio after you come to a stop. Eat before getting in the car. Pay attention to the road around you. And don’t forget to pay those fines quickly.
Leave a Comment