Come November, voters in League City will decide whether the city’s red light cameras should stay or go. Three intersections now have the cameras, which take split-second photos of drivers who run red lights. But do they reduce motor vehicle accidents?
Proponents of red light cameras will tell you that the tools can reduce accidents as people drive more safely in their presence. Opponents say the cameras are nothing more than a way for a municipality to get an added income stream.
Federal Highway Research
So, what does the research say?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, red light cameras (RLC) decrease the incidence of right-angle crashes and increase the incidence of rear-end crashes. The Federal Highway Administration report found nonetheless that red light cameras have an economic benefit in terms of reducing injuries and property damage:
Even though the positive effects on angle crashes of RLC systems is partially offset by negative effects related to increases in rear end crashes, there is still a modest to moderate economic benefit of between $39,000 and $50,000 per treated site year, depending on consideration of only injury crashes or including PDO [property damage only] crashes, and whether the statistically non-significant shift to slightly more severe angle crashes remaining after treatment is, in fact, real.
Even if modest, this economic benefit is important. In many instances today, the RLC systems pay for themselves through red-light-running fines generated. However, in many jurisdictions, this differs from most safety treatments where there are installation, maintenance, and other costs that must be weighed against the treatment benefits.
The Daily News of Galveston County reports that the League City signed a five-year contract for the cameras in 2009 and agreed to pay Redflex Traffic Systems a monthly maintenance fee of $38,960 to operate the cameras. The city would have had to pay Redflex almost $1.3 million to cancel the contract in February, city officials told The Daily News.
About Kevin Krist, League City Accident Attorney
Auto accidents happen regularly in Houston, Pasedena, League City, including at intersections with red light cameras and in parking lots. Drivers and passengers can be left with lasting injuries and anguish.
If you are hurt in an accident, you need an advocate to provide advice and go to bat for your best interests. Contact the Law Office of Kevin Krist today to discuss your case and the legal options available to you. For a free consultation, call 281-677-3962.
