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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 Saturday July 21 2018, @03:47PM (1 child)
Yes, I wasn't talking about ridiculously long yellows. I was talking about the many cities with red light cameras that have been shown to have shorter than recommended yellows. And there's a range for yellows... it's generally better to err on the longer side for safety. (And the traditional calculations are often wrong for high-speed roads, but that's another issue.)
(Score: 3, Informative) by deimtee on Sunday July 22 2018, @01:27AM
Too short yellows are not a problem here in Oz. Camera fines go into consolidated revenue at the state level, and the lights are managed by another department (Road Traffic Authority) whose focus is on safety and traffic flow.
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.