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from the but-they-do-work-to-raise-ticket-income dept.
Red-light cameras don't reduce the number of traffic accidents or injuries at intersections where the devices are installed, according a new analysis by Case Western Reserve University.
Touted by supporters as a way increase public safety by ticketing drivers who continue through red lights, the cameras actually shift traffic patterns: More drivers tend to brake harder and more abruptly, increasing fender-benders and other so-called "non-angle" collisions.
"Once drivers knew about the cameras, they appeared to accept a higher accident risk from slamming on their brakes at yellow lights to avoid an expensive traffic citation—thereby decreasing safety for themselves and other drivers," said Justin Gallagher, an assistant professor of economics at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve.
Accidents didn't decrease, only shift.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 20 2018, @03:46AM (2 children)
Sounds like they need to hide the cameras. No slamming on brakes if you don't see a camera.
(Score: 2) by urza9814 on Friday July 20 2018, @12:40PM
1) You know where they are once you get a citation
2) Once the right person knows where they are, they'll get flagged in online databases and added to apps like Trapster which will give advanced warning without requiring the driver to be able to see anything
(Score: 3, Insightful) by mcgrew on Friday July 20 2018, @05:33PM
If you rear-end someone, you're a shitty driver who follows WAY too close. Plus, you're wasting gasoline unless you have an electric car.
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