Do Red Light Cameras Save Lives?
June 14, 2018
Traffic studies done by the National Traffic and Safety Administration show that red light cameras installed at major intersections save lives. They slow drivers down and improve safety for other drivers and pedestrians that can be seriously injured or killed by a driver running a red light.
In 2014, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed data from accident statistics that showed 126,000 people were injured and 710 people were killed due to drivers running red lights. As a result of these findings, many cities around the country installed red light cameras to reduce accidents and improve traffic safety. When red light cameras capture a picture of a vehicle passing through an intersection after the light turns red, the image is turned over to law enforcement. Police investigate the photo, check the license plate, and issue a traffic ticket to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has conducted studies on red light cameras, comparing differences in traffic safety between large cities and small cities with and without red light cameras. Study results show that cities with red light cameras have an average of 14 percent less injuries and fatalities and 21 percent less fatal vehicle crashes. These findings prove that red light cameras are effective in reducing accidents, serious injuries, and deaths caused by drivers who run red lights.
In Oregon, red light cameras are legal, and many cities throughout the state have installed them to increase traffic safety. Running a red light or stop sign is one of the most common traffic violations seen by law enforcement in Oregon, as well as many other states. In most cases, if the vehicle passes through an intersection or crosswalk while the light is still yellow, there is no violation of the law. However, when the light turns red, any vehicle passing through the intersection or crosswalk will face a traffic citation, steep fines, and liability for any injuries incurred. If you have been involved in a traffic accident that resulted in injuries, contact the Law Offices of Patrick G. Cadiz for assistance.