The Red Light Traffic Camera Controversy

There is an ongoing and heated national debate over the growing practice of law enforcement using red light traffic cameras.

More than 500 cities and other municipalities across the country have installed some form of red light camera systems to capture evidence of accidents and red light violations. Hundreds of others are either contemplating their usage or widening existing programs.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 22% of all traffic accidents in the U.S. are caused by drivers running red lights. Red light intersection accidents result in over 800 deaths and over $7 billion in property damage, medical bills, lost productivity, and insurance premium increases annually.

It would seem that anything society can do to cut down on these losses or place the onus for them on the parties actually responsible would be uncontroversial. That isn’t the case, however.