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Red-Light Cameras Don't Stop Accidents

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By BARBARA L ORBAN

Published: January 23, 2008

Regarding, "Cameras Could Improve Safety," (Letters, Jan. 7):

Red-light running cameras are about money, not safety. Peggy Warren-Sipes wrote that Seattle invested $420,000 in cameras and netted $1.1 million in related ticket revenues. Concerns exist that if cities profit from cameras, they will not invest in needed traffic signal engineering improvements that reduce violations and crashes.

Of greater concern, red-light running cameras increase crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop. Last year, a comprehensive study in Virginia found cameras were associated with a 29 percent increase in total crashes, 20 percent increase in angle crashes, 18 percent increase in injury crashes, and increased comprehensive crash costs. It concluded "the results cannot be used to justify the widespread installation of cameras since they are not universally effective."

In Florida, the crash increase from cameras could potentially create even more injuries due to the state's high percentage of elderly residents who are more likely to be injured or killed when a crash occurs.

Some studies conclude cameras reduce crashes or injuries, but they have major research design flaws and should not be used in decision-making. This includes a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study and another reported by the Federal Highway Administration.

The IIHS is funded by automobile insurance companies and is the leading advocate for red-light cameras. However, auto insurance interests are not aligned with driver interests. Insurance revenue growth is needed to increase their stock prices. Revenues increase when drivers pay higher premiums from additional crashes and moving violation tickets.

Due to the pricing methods used, insurers do not have a financial incentive to reduce crashes because higher costs are passed to drivers in higher rates. Also, tickets are very profitable for auto insurers. In just four years, auto insurance premiums in Florida increased by $5 billion annually following a significant increase in tickets.

To improve quality of life in Florida, emphasis is needed on reducing crashes, not increasing tickets.

Barbara Langland Orban, Ph.D., is chair of Health Policy and Management at the University of South Florida College of Public Health.

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