New research claims that red light cameras help to reduce the number of crashes at intersections where they are installed. The study, although limited to Texas, is claimed to be one of the most extensive so far in the US, and researchers say the findings demonstrate that the automated enforcement method offers an effective means of preventing crash-related deaths and injuries.
The 69-page report, - Evaluation of Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement Systems in Texas - which is available at <%$Linker:External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal this link Evaluation of Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement Systems in Texas false http://tti.tamu.edu/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Evaluation_of_Photographic_Traffic_Signal_Enforcement_Systems_in_Texas.pdf false false %>, is the result of researchers examining more than 11,000 crash records at the 275 intersections statewide where cameras were in place, and comparing crash frequencies one, two and three years before and after installation of the cameras.
An overall reduction of 633 crashes recorded at those intersections represents an 11 per cent decline statewide. Red light-related crashes dropped by 25 per cent, and right-angle crashes (the most severe type) dropped by 32 per cent. The reductions were seen across the board on all types of roadways, including business/primary roads, farm-to-market roads, interstate access roads, state highways and US highways.
In addition to assessing the cameras’ effectiveness according to roadway type, researchers also compared crash frequencies at different intervals before and after cameras were installed. The examination showed a 23 per cent drop from one year before to one year after cameras were put into use. The two- and three-year comparisons reflected reductions of 27 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively.
“These findings show clearly that red light cameras offer significant safety benefits,” says Troy Walden, the author of the TTI study. “Most important, they help prevent the most severe and deadly type of intersection crashes.”
According to US federal sources, red light running causes more than 100,000 crashes and 1,000 fatalities every year, and right-angle crashes account for 46 per cent of all intersection-related collisions.
The 69-page report, - Evaluation of Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement Systems in Texas - which is available at <%$Linker:
An overall reduction of 633 crashes recorded at those intersections represents an 11 per cent decline statewide. Red light-related crashes dropped by 25 per cent, and right-angle crashes (the most severe type) dropped by 32 per cent. The reductions were seen across the board on all types of roadways, including business/primary roads, farm-to-market roads, interstate access roads, state highways and US highways.
In addition to assessing the cameras’ effectiveness according to roadway type, researchers also compared crash frequencies at different intervals before and after cameras were installed. The examination showed a 23 per cent drop from one year before to one year after cameras were put into use. The two- and three-year comparisons reflected reductions of 27 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively.
“These findings show clearly that red light cameras offer significant safety benefits,” says Troy Walden, the author of the TTI study. “Most important, they help prevent the most severe and deadly type of intersection crashes.”
According to US federal sources, red light running causes more than 100,000 crashes and 1,000 fatalities every year, and right-angle crashes account for 46 per cent of all intersection-related collisions.
