It’s certainly frustrating to receive traffic tickets from red-light cameras. However, they’re put into place to reduce the number of automobile accidents and increase safety on roads. While this is the ideal, are red-light cameras actually accomplishing the goal?
City council members in Tampa have recently reported that they were led astray by promises that an increase in red-light cameras would actively decrease the number of automobile accidents and injuries the city would experience per year. Accident analysis numbers show that the number of accidents at intersections equipped with red-light cameras have actually increased by over 40% since the cameras were put into place. As a result, many believe that the cameras are a misuse of taxpayer money.
Tampa isn’t the only city to experience a heightened rate of accidents and injuries. Last year, the Chicago Tribune published a report showing a decrease in right angle and head-on collisions but a sharp increase in rear-end collisions. This change resulted in an overall increase in injuries. According to the National Motorists Association, many other cities have followed suit and published similar findings.
When individuals are aware that a red-light camera has been put into place at an intersection, they are much more likely to slam brakes in order to avoid crossing the intersection on a yellow light in the path of the cameras. As a result, the number of T-bone crashes has reduced. Unfortunately, because of drivers’ heightened concentration on the cameras and the possibility of a ticket, this same reaction increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions. Red-light cameras, for this reason, have been removed from many intersections and cities across the United States.
It’s extremely important to be aware of one’s surroundings while driving. This means keeping plenty of distance between your vehicle and surrounding cars and avoiding abrupt stops, even if it means going through an intersection on a yellow light and potentially receiving a ticket.
If you’ve found yourself injured or the victim of an automobile accident, we want to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Browse our site to find an experienced, expert auto accident attorney near you and receive a free consultation.