Red-Light Safety Cameras Reduce Florida Car Crashes
January 07, 2013
By Carolyn J Dawson
TMCnet Contributor
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles carried out a survey to uncover the benefits of red-light safety cameras. The survey, carried out among 73 Florida communities, highlighted a considerable reduction in traffic crashes due to the installation of these cameras, which has also resulted in a reduction in insurance rates.
The efficiency of red-light safety cameras as a practical police tool for adherence of traffic laws and decrease in the number of hazardous crashes has been verified by the survey outcomes. During the period, July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, nearly all the agencies displayed a reduction in the number of complete crashes, angle-crashes and rear-end crashes. According to the community police departments, while the number of side-impact crashes decreased by 44 percent, the decrease in rear-end crashes and complete crashes at red-light camera intersections was 41 and 56 percent respectively.
A transformed driving behavior at the junctions with no red-light safety cameras was also reported by the police, demonstrating a recurring conduct over bigger vicinity. According to the report, one of the common enhancements observed is a decrease in the number of drivers not stopping at red lights at junctions using cameras. The other enhancements include decrease in red-light infringements noticed by law enforcers at all junctions and an increased number of cautious drivers across the jurisdiction.
In a statement, Charles Territo, VP, Communications at American Traffic Solutions said, "American Traffic Solutions is pleased but not surprised by the results in this statewide report. This analysis mirrors similar findings in communities across the country, and demonstrates that red-light safety cameras reduce dangerous T-bone crashes by changing driver behavior."
A minimum of 70 communities in Florida have chosen ATS for implementing traffic safety equipment. ATS’ cameras installed at intersections have increased driving safety across the communities. After the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act was enforced in 2010, the number of traffic crash injuries due to drivers’ disrespect of traffic signals has decreased by 15 percent till date.
As per the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, the number of fatalities due to drivers running the red-light was 81 in 2011. As compared to the 93 dead in 2007, this is a decrease of 13 percent.
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Edited by Brooke Neuman
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