Do traffic light cameras help improve safety?

There are mixed reports about the effectiveness of traffic light cameras, but many questions still arise concerning whether a traffic light camera ticket may be a violation of a citizen’s rights. Since they are not in widespread use, being employed in just fewer than 400 American communities, and they appeared fairly recently as a law enforcement tool, it is difficult to make a definitive determination of their ability to improve safety.

Some studies show that while some types of accidents have decreased, rear-end collisions have increased at intersections where these cameras are installed. Others show only positive results from the use of red light cameras. In addition, other studies show that some municipalities have altered the timing of their yellow lights, possibly to increase the number of red light tickets issued as a result of this technology.

Some states have actually enacted bans on all red light cameras, and others are considering that step. In the meantime, some states that require law enforcement officials to specifically identify the driver of a car running a red light, not just the owner. That requires clearer pictures of the driver than what modern digital cameras can generally provide.

Clearly, the controversy over red light cameras is not over. If you are issued a citation for running a red light as a result of a traffic light camera, your traffic ticket attorney may find a number of defenses they can use to challenge such a ticket.