Study Shows Red Light Cameras Reduce Fatal Accidents
The IIHS conducted a new study to determine the safety of red light camera use in intersections and determined that cities that used red light cameras had a 24 percent reduction in fatalities stemming from accidents involving drivers who ran lights in intersections.

February 11, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted a new study to determine the safety of red light camera use in intersections. The IIHS looked at 99 cities (with populations of over 200,000) and considered the number of cities that had cameras and those that did not. The study compared data over two four-year time periods to determine the rate of fatal crashes and the rate of reduced fatalities in cities that implemented red light cameras.

It cities that used red light cameras (from 2004-2008), the IIHS results showed a 24 percent reduction in fatalities stemming from accidents involving drivers who ran red lights. The results also showed a reduction of 14 percent of all types of motor vehicle crashes in cities that had cameras. The researchers concluded that just having the red light cameras present helped to reduce fatal accidents in intersections. This may be due to drivers being more aware of their surroundings and driving carefully just knowing that there is an automated enforcement program in place.

Additionally, IIHS researchers concluded, "if red light cameras had been in place for all 5 years in all 99 U.S. cities with populations over 200,000, a total of 815 deaths could have been avoided."

Red Light Cameras Help Save Lives

There are vocal supporters for or against use of red light cameras. Those against feel that they are nothing but moneymakers for cities that install the enforcement program and they are a violation of people's privacy. In fact, contrary to the IIHS study's findings, Senator Frank Antenori is pushing a bill to ban the use of red light cameras in Arizona. The outcome of Antenori's bill remains to be seen as the 2011 legislative session unfolds.

Alternatively, supporters look at the numbers of lives lost each year compared to those saved in cities that use these cameras and the answer seems clear. According to the IIHS, 676 people lost their lives in red light running crashes in 2009 and even more were severely injured in intersection accidents. Drivers are not the only victims in these crashes, vehicle passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists have also been killed. Reducing this number should be a high priority for all cities and red light cameras can help reach this goal by making drivers more accountable for their actions and saving lives in the process.

If you have been involved in an accident with a vehicle that ran a red light, you may be entitled for compensation for the damages you suffered. Speak to an Arizona personal injury attorney to learn about your legal options.

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