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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: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Friday July 20 2018, @01:44PM (1 child)
I'm pretty sure every state/municipality has some sort of legal minimum. They vary.
And there have been LOTS of cities nationwide that have been caught lowering the yellow duration to increase revenue (or at least below safe engineering standards).
(Score: 2) by Whoever on Saturday July 21 2018, @05:38AM
Most states do not have a minimum and municipalities have a financial interest in having short yellow times. In CA, the minimum depends on the speed limit in force and there are laws that govern the minimum speed limits.
In summary: you are wrong. CA provides protections to drivers that most states do not.