Phoenix Considering Red Light Cameras Again: Do They Actually Work?

In Phoenix and other parts of Arizona, we may soon see red light traffic cameras emerging at various intersections. The reason for this is because safety experts believe they will be beneficial to preventing severe crash injuries as well as fatalities. Some people in the community are complaining that we have tried this method before, causing further questions to arise, such as the question of whether red light cameras actually work.

What are the thoughts behind the red-light camera proposal in Phoenix, AZ?

According to a recent news article published in AZ Central, Phoenix is currently experiencing a shortage of police officers. Therefore, law enforcement agencies, the community, and safety experts are trying to develop ideas to handle this officer shortage while also keeping residents and visitors of the city safe and harm-free. As a result, one of the ideas that is being seriously considered is “bringing back red-light cameras to curb driver habits.” In fact, in October, the city held a Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting where the Assistant Chief and Streets Director spoke and gave a presentation regarding the advantages of using red light traffic cameras.

Some people may be thinking that Phoenix had traffic cameras in place years ago, which is correct. The article mentions that the city started using red light cameras in 2001 at various intersections that were known to be very busy. However, these traffic cameras were taken down in 2019 due to “concerns about privacy, effectiveness and discrimination.” Regardless of this, the Assistant Chief and Streets Director referred to data that showed a 31 percent reduction in vehicles involved in red light running accidents at cross-streets and a 57 percent reduction in vehicles involved in red light running accidents when red light traffic cameras were facing the direction of the vehicles.

In addition, since law enforcement agencies are having issues with hiring and keeping officers, it is believed that the traffic cameras would help support the understaffed departments. The Streets Director concluded with the following statement, “Knowing that we can’t be everywhere all at once, by adding technology to the equation, it just increases our outreach in terms of what we’re able to provide in terms of putting officers in the right places.”

What types of traffic cameras might be installed?

There are five different red-light cameras currently being considered for Phoenix, which include:

1. Red-light cameras that detect if someone has run a red light
2. Speed cameras that detect if someone is speeding at a green light
3. Portable speed towers that detect speeding drivers
4. Mobile speed vehicles that detect speeding drivers
5. Fixed mid-block speed cameras located in various areas on long roads with no intersections, such as highways and interstates

The Assistant Chief and Streets Director are currently weighing out their options when it comes to these five different types of traffic cameras. The main factor that is going into this decision is cost, which the article explains can vary based on the program, the type of cameras chosen, and the models. However, no cost has been given for installing traffic cameras in Phoenix yet, but according to AZ Central, a previous traffic camera contract was going to be about $800,000.

Do red light cameras actually work?

There are many different opinions and views when it comes to the effectiveness of red-light cameras. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) points out a few different studies they have conducted in different areas of the country, which show that red light cameras have the ability to reduce red light violations.

One of the most recent studies that they mentioned was conducted in 2017 with a goal in mind to see if there would be a reduction in car accidents in large cities with red-light cameras compared to those without red-light cameras. The study found that the traffic cameras “reduced the fatal red light running crash rate by 21 percent and the rate of all types of fatal crashes at signalized intersections by 14 percent.” Therefore, according to the IIHS and this study, red light cameras do actually work and can greatly benefit cities by reducing fatal crashes at intersections.

What are the doubts and hesitations surrounding red light traffic cameras?

Even though red-light traffic cameras seem like a potential solution, there are several people who have doubts and hesitations surrounding these devices. For example, two council members pointed out how a red-light camera failed to stop a driver from running a traffic light when a family was in the middle of crossing a street in 2019. Another concern addressed was the possibility of the red-light cameras tracking individuals around the city, which is a privacy issue.

A third issue brought up in the Subcommittee meeting was the fact that many people who receive tickets for running the stop lights are unable to pay them, which the council members feel is a fairness and equity problem. Instead, they believe that money and efforts should be put into changing the design of roads and employing more police officers. One council member made the argument that “the root causes of accidents, such as speeding and failure to yield, were related to the design and conditions of roadways.” Therefore, both council members who expressed their opinions are urging the city to focus on fixing the roadways and hiring more officers to patrol the city because they believe these two focuses alone will make a tremendous difference when it comes to the safety of our citizens.

If you recently suffered injuries in a red light running accident in the Phoenix area, the car accident lawyers at Plattner Verderame, PC are ready and available to assist you. We know and understand the difficulties that come with these types of accidents, which is why we always show our clients compassion, empathy, understanding, and care. When you choose to work with our team, you will receive outstanding professionalism and guidance every step of the way. Call our office or complete our contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation case review at our Phoenix or Tempe office today.