A red-light camera in use in Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Main article: Traffic enforcement camera
Red light cameras help to enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing vehicles disobeying stop lights. The system continuously monitors the traffic signal and the camera is triggered by any vehicle entering the intersection above a preset minimum speed and following a specified time after the signal has turned red. Many red light camera programs provide motorists with grace periods of up to half a second.
Issues
Various groups and people oppose the use of red light cameras. They believe that the use of these devices raises many legal issues and violates the privacy of citizens. They also question the effectiveness of red light cameras and if it really helps the traffic safety. The cameras cannot usually identify the vehicle driver, raising owner liability issues, because it is usually unclear from the picture taken which individual was driving..
Multiple studies over many years have consistently shown these devices to increase accidents at intersections.
A University of South Florida College of Public Health study
At some intersections where red-light cameras have been installed, it has been determined that the duration of the yellow signal was illegally shortened, thereby ensuring that there would be more violations and thus, more revenue. In the Tennessee case, 176 tickets ($8800 in fines) were refunded to drivers caught in the first 0.9 seconds after the signal turned red when it was discovered that the length of the yellow signal timing had been reduced by that amount.
In some areas, red light enforcement cameras are installed and maintained by private firms such as Affiliated Computer Services. In many cases, these private firms also administer the processing of citations. Many people disagree with this privatization of a police function.
In Texas, red light violators caught by a red light camera are served with a civil citation rather than a criminal citation. The civil infraction (civil fine of $75, no traffic points) conflicts with the same criminal infraction (fines of $1 to $200, and traffic points).
References
- ^ a b , Red light running, retrieved on Feb. 20, 2008
- ^ National Motorist Association: Ticket Cameras, retrieved on Feb. 20, 2008
- ^ City of Santa Maria, California, Red Light Camera Enforcement, Police Services
- ^ Red Light Camera Studies Roundup
- ^ “Red light cameras increase crashes and insurance rates”
- ^ “With Cameras on the Corner, Your Ticket Is in the Mail”
- ^ “Refunds for Photo Tickets on Short Yellow”
- ^ “With Cameras on the Corner, Your Ticket Is in the Mail”
- ^ Red-light Cameras in Texas: A Status Report by the House Research Organization/Texas House of Representatives
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