Quote:
Originally Posted by Byrns
Studies have shown the red light cameras don't reduce accidents since people slam on the brakes as soon as it turns yellow... Not to mention some cities have also shortened the cycle time that the light is amber which only makes this worse.
Pure cash grab.
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While I generally tend to agree that much of the HTA enforcement locally is a cash grab, while what you're saying is true (accidents increase), you're missing the flip side of that coin. The "studies" (I use that term loosely) linked in this thread, might show an increase in collisions at red-light intersections, they actually
reduce the number of fatalities and injury accidents at these intersections.
Rear-ending accidents while you're breaking are a hell of a lot less damaging than 2 cars colliding at 70km/h front-on or at right angles.
Add in the fact that now the cameras are forcing people to go slower in the intersections, and I can see this having a great impact on the severity of accidents.
You can pick and choose studies to prove either side of the argument, but at the end of the day if you've got people more aware, paying attention, and going slower through these intersections, its a win-win situation. I've gotten a couple of radar tickets and have adjusted my driving accordingly (slow down in these intersections and don't run the reds), so its clearly working.