Critics Concerned As Cities Cash-In On Red-light Cameras

Critics cite many concerns--privacy, safety, accuracy, fairness--but cameras are gaining ground and cities are cashing-in on the hefty fines paid by offenders.

1 minute read

September 8, 2006, 6:00 AM PDT

By davarnado

"They're (cameras) in use in Denver; Atlanta; New York City; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle. More seem to pop up every month."

"There is no doubt that red-light running is a big problem. Drivers running red lights account for about 22% of traffic accidents in the U.S., according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And that number has been growing: Deadly automobile crashes at traffic signals jumped more than 13% between 1993 and 2003, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, far outpacing the nearly 7% rise in other fatal crashes during that period. A big part of that jump is caused by red-light running, the government says. The offense now kills about 900 people annually and injures 176,000 more."

"...no one denies the need to stop red-light runners," but "there's some debate as to whether cameras truly make intersections safer."

Thanks to D. A. Varnado, AICP

FULL STORY: Are red light cameras fair to drivers?

Thursday, September 7, 2006 in MSN

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