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Do Red Light Cameras Save Lives?

Numerous studies have shown red light cameras instrumental in saving lives. Yet some battles wage on regarding the legality of their use. What do opponents find so objectionable? Arguments against these cameras mainly involve violations of privacy rights. However, the courts have shot-down such claims repeatedly. For more information about Red Light Cameras, visit http://www.redflex.com today.

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Do Red Light Cameras Save Lives?

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  1. DO RED LIGHT CAMERAS SAVE LIVES?

  2. RED LIGHT CAMERAS • Numerous studies have shown red light cameras instrumental in saving lives. • Yet some battles wage on regarding the legality of their use. What do opponents find so objectionable? • Arguments against these cameras mainly involve violations of privacy rights. • However, the courts have shot-down such claims repeatedly. • What has never been questioned is the illegality of running a red light. • In every instance, a person who runs a red light breaks the law and will be held accountable. • Or, even worse, a person could be seriously injured or even killed as a result of this reckless behavior.

  3. RED LIGHT CAMERAS • COURT CASES INVOLVING RED LIGHT CAMERAS • The U.S. Supreme Court refers to driving as a regulated activity on public roads without expectation of personal privacy. • This interpretation suggests red light cameras do not violate personal privacy. • According to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, red light cameras do not violate procedural due process. • The court ruling stated "no one has a fundamental right to run a red light or avoid being seen by a camera on a public street." • This court also ruled the city of Chicago's photo enforcement system was not in violation of the U.S. Constitution. • U.S. motorists agree to abide by all traffic regulations when they get a driver’s license. • The operation of red light cameras is completely transparent. • They’re installed in plain view to all motorists and drivers have a right to see any data the camera collects.

  4. RED LIGHT CAMERAS • STUDIES SUPPORTING RED LIGHT CAMERA USE • From 2004 to 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) analyzed red camera use in 99 U.S. cities. • The study concluded the cameras reduced fatal crashes by 24%. • In 14 of the largest cities in the study, the cameras saved 159 lives. • According to the IIHS, 815 deaths would have been prevented if the cameras had been installed in all major U.S. cities during the same time period. • Looking at one of the metro areas of the IIHS study, automated enforcement can clearly change driver behavior. • In Phoenix, Arizona, red light cameras reduced fatal crashes by 45%. In Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, the study noted a staggering 79% reduction in fatal crashes. • Unfortunately, statistics in 2009 continue to paint a grim picture. • In that one year period, IIHS noted 676 people were killed and 113,000 were injured as a result of drivers running red lights.

  5. RED LIGHT CAMERAS • STUDIES SUPPORTING RED LIGHT CAMERA USE • Of those killed, only one-third involved the offending drivers. • Two-thirds of the people killed were pedestrians, bicyclists, passengers of the offenders or occupants of other cars. • The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, has long supported red light camera use in intersections. • GHSA released a statement indicating “the IIHS study leaves no doubt that red light cameras are an effective enforcement tool and a key to intersection safety.”

  6. RED LIGHT CAMERAS • WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR RED LIGHT CAMERAS • Just as other safety measures evolve over time, like seat belts, air bags, crosswalk signals and more, so will red light cameras. • A wide variety of tools help law enforcement do their jobs better while improving community safety. • As statistics continue to support the life-saving measures of red light cameras, resistance is expected to wane and more U.S. cities will adopt the technology. • The vast majority of the public will refuse to be denied a tool that will keep the community safe.

  7. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jody Ryan is Communications Director at Redflex Traffic Systems®, Inc., a leader in road safety technology that operates more than 2,000 photo enforcement systems in over 250 cities throughout the United States and Canada. For more information about Red Light Cameras, visit http://www.redflex.com today.

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