Red light cameras: Do they really help reduce accidents and fatalities? Who knows? Yet another story fails to mention ALL the data that may help decide.
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/traffic/study%3A-red-light-cameras-save-lives
OK, there are fewer fatalities in the cities and time frames that were studied. Were their fewer accidents too? Were there more accidents or was it about the same? The article doesn't tell us. Could fewer fatalities be related to better quality cars with side air-bags that protect the occupants better? Could be; but the article doesn't tell us. Is there an increase in rear-end accidents because somebody suddenly stops hard at a yellow light for fear of getting caught on a red? The one guy alludes to that but the article doesn't share any data with us one way or the other.
They claim the red light cameras save money; how? We spend money on the cameras, monitoring, and maintenance. Did the cameras replace officers and save us money? Or, do we still have the officers and the new red-light camera expense too? How about if the officers we're already paying just do their job and write some tickets. In Austin, I've seen first-hand where people have run red-lights right in front of APD and they did not go after them. I've even waved and pointed for them to do so but they just drive away. That's an enforcement issue and not a reason for invasion of privacy civil rights violating red-light cameras.
