Showing posts with label Constitution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Constitution. Show all posts

Monday, June 27, 2022

A Lesson in Technology and Critical Thinking: The Red Light Camera Example


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? 
Red Light camera safety statistics: