Mar 30, 2009

Putting a Stop to Intersection Accidents

Some people see red-light camera enforcement as robotic Big Brother, but Cathedral City, Calif., is crediting its red-light camera program with a dramatic improvement in roadway public safety. Comparing numbers from 2007 and 2008, the Cathedral City Police Department announced a 30 percent drop in crashes and a 50 percent drop in violations at one intersection that uses the system, and the police also credit the improved driving behaviors with a reduction in crashes at other nearby, unmonitored intersections, which saw a crash decrease as well.

The police department is so pleased with the results that it has expanded its program to two new intersections. In 2007, Cathedral City mailed out 1067 citations for red-light running violations at the intersection. In 2008, that number decreased to 534. Robinson said an unexpected benefit was better compliance and safety at nearby intersections not equipped with red-light cameras.

“We look forward to more success in reducing red-light-running-related crashes and violations,” said Cathedral City Police Lieutenant Charles Robinson. “The closer drivers are to this intersection, the more aware they are of their driving behavior.”

Because of the success of the system at one intersection, Cathedral City plans to install red-light camera enforcement at two additional intersections this year.