While some are voicing concern that such measures are simply money-making schemes, their use is resulting in dramatic reductions in crashes at those intersections as well. The hard evidence is coming in and it s showing that red light camera enforcement is making U.S. intersections safer. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, crashes declined over 40 percent throughout the entire city of Oxnard, Calif., even though only 11 of its 125 intersections were so equipped. In calculating crash reductions, researchers took into account changes in crashes at intersections without signals plus crash trends in three other cities used as controls. The city of Oxnard has seen such positive effects that its citizens are overwhelmingly in favor of their use.
Similar support prevails nationwide.
Most cities surveyed showed similar percentages in favor of red light cameras and even cities without the devices showed the same level of support. Despite such support, officials in many jurisdictions aren t able to implement camera programs. Only nine states and the District of Columbia have laws either granting their use or allowing them in specific communities. Without explicit authorization, camera use may not be possible. What is possible is a change in yellow light intervals, however.