"D.C. Red-Light Cameras Fail to Reduce Accidents"

[clyde]

Originally Posted by The Washington Post

The District's red-light cameras have generated more than 500,000 violations and $32 million in fines over the past six years. City officials credit them with making busy roads safer.

But a Washington Post analysis of crash statistics shows that the number of accidents has gone up at intersections with the cameras. The increase is the same or worse than at traffic signals without the devices.

Three outside traffic specialists independently reviewed the data and said they were surprised by the results. Their conclusion: The cameras do not appear to be making any difference in preventing injuries or collisions.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...100301844.html

While an increase in rear end collisions has long been known as the red light camera's dirty little not-so-secret, it has been accepted that those collisions are preferable to the broadside collisions when cars run red lights. What's in the article shows that the number of broadside collisions has increased at the same or higher rate than the citywide number, as have the total injury/fatal crashes (broadside or otherwise).

They don't work. Unless you count filling the city coffers as working. Get rid of them. Now.

[ff]

I'd much rather see rear-end collisions for three reasons: 1) There's no question as to who's 100% at fault (good) 2) It easily exposes the bad and inattentive drivers (good) 3) It's much less likely to cause significant bodily harm than being broad-sided

So if red-light cameras have caused this shift in accident types in intersections, then I'm all for it.

If people want to get rid of the red-light cameras, then maybe it's time to start driving more safely and conscientiously.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by ff

So if red-light cameras have caused this shift in accident types in intersections, then I'm all for it.

For the reading comprehension impaired, the intersections with the cameras have seen a greater increase in broadside collisions and a greater increase in collisions resulting in injuries and/or fatalities than the intersections citywide.

[jpgurl]

I don't know about you all, but *maybe* once a year, do I "run" a red light. When I do, it's really more what I'd call "dark orange". And it is NEVER in a busy intersection turning left or something.

However, red light cams never factor into my decision.

[ff]

Originally Posted by clyde

For the reading comprehension impaired, the intersections with the cameras have seen a greater increase in broadside collisions and a greater increase in collisions resulting in injuries and/or fatalities than the intersections citywide.

I shouldn't have gotten out of bed this morning. Guess I was reading only what I wanted to read.

[rumatt]

I'm not seeing how they can increase broadside collisions. People are looking for cameras rather than looking at the road

No I didn't read the article.

[John V]

Originally Posted by rumatt

I'm not seeing how they can increase broadside collisions. People are looking for cameras rather than looking at the road

No I didn't read the article.

If they diddled with the light timing when they installed the cameras I could see it.

JV

[kognito]

Originally Posted by John V

If they diddled with the light timing when they installed the cameras I could see it.

JV

with 32 million in fines, I bet they diddled (is that a word??) with the timing

[John V]

Originally Posted by kognito

with 32 million in fines, I bet they diddled (is that a word??) with the timing

I don't know if they did or didn't.

I do know that DC is one of the places I will never ride a motorcycle, due to the frequency of red-light running that happens there.

IMO if they fixed the timing of the lights so they corresponded with traffic patterns better they would have less red-light running.

[kognito]

In the town of Dover NJ (next to where I live) seems that red lights are mearly a sugjestion