Red Light Cameras Increase Safety Revenue Accidents?

By Tankboy in News on Mar 12, 2008 8:02PM

Hot on the heels of the news that Chicago is going to install a whole bunch of red light cameras based on claims that the cameras drastically reduce the number of accidents at intersections.

Perhaps not.

Researchers at the University of South Florida College of Public Health have released a report claiming "Rather than improving motorist safety, red-light cameras significantly increase crashes and are a ticket to higher auto insurance premiums." In fact, they increase crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop at camera intersections." The study even goes so far as to say that cameras might not even increase city revenue, since increased crashes lead to increased insurance rates ... and that money travels out of the city's economy.

They conclude that if you're looking to really improve driving conditions and reduce accidents, you should be researching engineering solutions to improve intersection safety.

Read the whole thing for yourself [PDF]. In fact, why don't you print out a few copies and send them to our elected representatives in city hall?

Red Light Violation by p2wy