January 8, 2008...5:14 pm
Red-Light Cameras Decrease Your Safety
The National Motorists Association (NMA) has been contending for some time that Red-Light Cameras actually make traffic intersections less safe than they would be without the cameras. On the surface, this would seem to be a paradoxical argument.
However, on the NMA blog today is a post linking to 5 studies, all of which appear to support the NMA’s claims. As someone who has been nabbed multiple times by red-light and speeding cameras, I would personally be in full support of removing them. Because they’re so unsafe, of course.
As a natural skeptic, my immediate response is to question how many studies exist which refute the NMA’s position. However, I like what the NMA is saying, so I’ll disregard the notion that there may be compelling counter-arguments. Here are some interesting tidbits found in the studies:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
June 2007
After cameras were installed, rear-end crashes increased for the entire six-jurisdiction study area… After controlling for time and traffic volume at each intersection, rear-end crash rates increased by an average of 27% for the entire study area.
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
December 2003
Exhibit 2 indicates the red light running treatments have:
* Contributed to a 4.9 per cent increase in fatal and injury rear-end collisions; and
* Contributed to a 49.9 per cent increase in property damage only rear-end collisions.The rear-end collision results are similar to findings in other red light camera studies.
Furthermore, as a mild conspiracy theorist and avowed non-statist, I am inclined to be skeptical of traffic cameras and other attempts by government to monitor its citizens. Down with traffic cameras!
6 Comments
January 8, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I agree! Down with red light cameras! I used to have nightmares about the gauntlet of cameras I had to face on my way to work down Little River Turnpike.
January 8, 2008 at 7:09 pm
They certainly increase anxiety.
January 8, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Can we get rid of the cops too?
January 8, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Eli - I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, but an interesting suggestion nonetheless.
Will/Erica - I hear you. I get nervous whenever I see one of those camera signs.
January 9, 2008 at 5:14 am
I agree with Eli. Not just down with the cameras but with the cops too. At least the sneaky ones. What happened to just having a large crown victoria with the HUGE words “POLICE” on the side to warn you. Now police are driving camaros, impalas, SUV, etc. It’s not fair. I could care less about the cameras, but my heart races to the point of a near heart attack everytime I see a cop on the road, even driving int he opposite direction.
Although my reaction to the police could have something to do with my past driving record, but they target people who look too young to drive.. it’s not fair!
January 9, 2008 at 10:50 am
Virginia Beach is also one of those places where they installed red light cameras on an experimental basis…and yes the statistics showed a 29% increase in accidents. They spent thousands of dollars installing the lights only to jettison the project saying it was against Virginia Law. The one closest one to my house was only in operation for a month….that was in 2005. In 2007 they changed their mind and approved another bill to allow it, but they haven’t turned them back on yet. What a waste of our tax dollars. I don’t think we should be spending money on “experiments” and what they call “nanny government” that puts people’s lives in more danger on the roads than they already are
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