Red
light cameras are being embraced by many municipalities. They
are meant to deter drivers from traveling through an intersection
against a red light. They provide a means to ticket drivers that run
red lights without the need for a police officer to witness the
alleged crime. This technology has been widely touted as a way to
increase the safety of intersections, a primary reason given by
elected officials for their use. But what do the statistics say
about red light cameras? Statistics show that accidents have
increased at intersections where red light cameras are in use.
Statistics also show that injuries have decreased at intersections
where red light cameras are in use. When I cite these examples to
students, their response is “How can both statements be true?”
Both
statements need further clarification through an analysis of the
data. Intersections where red light cameras are in use have seen a
decrease in the number of side impact or “t-bone” collisions,
but an increase the number of rear-end collisions. Side impact
collisions have a higher injury rate than rear- end collisions. So
what is the process for instituting a technology like red light
cameras given this data? Was an increase in rear-end collisions
anticipated? Did designers and municipalities perhaps agree that
rear-end collisions are preferable to side impact collisions? This
type of critical thinking about the unforeseen consequences of a
technology, as well as the successes of a technology, is a must during design and implementation.
When a
technology has the potential to impact upon the rights of the
citizenry, it is equally crucial to examine its potential for
circumventing protections we take for granted. To be sure, red light cameras are
a convenient source of revenue for municipalities. In addition to
the detection and reporting of a motor vehicle offense, red
light cameras operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without
collecting overtime pay, holiday pay, or disability pay if “injured”.
They do not get paid for court time. These are all wins for a town
or city: Easy fines with low overhead. An additional argument can be made that red light cameras free police officers from court obligations, allowing them to concentrate on other law enforcement activities. But what about the rights of
those being fined? Under our system of law, we have the right to
face and cross examine our accuser in a court of law. How does one
cross examine a camera? Perhaps this is the reason that most red
light camera tickets are “no point” tickets.
A brief look at one piece of
technology in criminal justice exposes a plethora of issues upon
closer examination. Red light cameras are but one example of how the use of
technology is a practiced art, not an absolute science. Given the use of drones, electronic eavesdropping, and surveillance technologies to name a few, the
ability to think critically about the use of any technology in the
criminal justice system is paramount in a free society.
Want to Know More about Red Light Cameras?
Want to Know More about Red Light Cameras?
Red Light camera safety statistics:
Some
interesting articles on the Constitutionality of the red light
camera, both pro and con, can be found here:
