Safety Benefits of North Carolina Red Light Cameras Detailed In New Studies

Programs Produce Drop In Crashes, Improve Safety

North Carolina Red Light Camera Statistics

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 19, 2005) — Several new transportation safety studies have found that North Carolina’s array of red light camera programs have produced significant reductions in red light running crashes and violations.

North Carolina ranks third in the nation for the number of communities using this technology. Over 110 communities in 20 states and the District of Columbia are now using red light cameras, which represents a 40 percent increase in just two years.

“Red light cameras are reducing crashes and saving lives in North Carolina,” said Tom Crosby, President of AAA Carolinas Traffic Safety Foundation. “We have seen these devices evolve from a few pilot projects to integrated parts of our traffic safety strategies because they are effective in changing bad driver behavior.”

One new study, conducted by researchers at the Institute for Transportation Research and Education, in cooperation with North Carolina State University, reviewed traffic data from over a dozen intersections in Raleigh considered to be the most dangerous in the city, half of which had red light cameras. Researchers compared the “before” and “after” red-light related accidents between the two groups. The results showed right-angle accidents were reduced by 42 percent at red-light camera intersections, with a 25 percent reduction in rear-end accidents Total red-light related accidents dropped by 22 percent.

“This technology has enabled Raleigh to become a safer place to live” said Mike Kennon, PE, City Traffic Engineer of the City of Raleigh. “The phone calls and letters I receive indicate an overwhelming support of the program.”

A second study released on Jan. 11th is one of the most comprehensive ever conducted on the economic benefits of photo enforcement technology in the U.S.. The study analyzed traffic data from Charlotte and six other U.S. communities that use cameras to compare the incidence of right-angle crashes, most frequently associated with red light running to rear-end crashes where photo enforcement devices are installed.

Charlotte’s traffic data showed crashes at the city’s red light camera intersections dropped from 4,597 to 2,591, or almost 40 percent. Right-angle crashes dropped by almost 30 percent and rear-end crashes decreased by almost 50 percent.

An additional 2004 study by the Carolina Motor Club Traffic Safety Foundation made the following conclusions after reviewing survey results from North Carolina’s red light camera programs:
· All of the communities decided to implement the programs to improve traffic safety by reducing red light running. Almost all noted pre-existing problems with traffic signal violations and associated crashes.
· Intersections identified for camera placement tended to be selected by examining traffic volumes, citation, and crash data.
· The percentage of tickets appealed is quite low, ranging from one to three percent. This should be reflective of the quality control review process at the local level. For communities that reported appeal data, the vast majority of citations are upheld.

“All of these new studies are reinforcing the value that photo enforcement technology can add real value to traffic enforcement efforts,” said National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running Executive Director Leslie Blakey. “North Carolina’s municipal leaders should be commended for taking advantage of this opportunity to improve traffic safety by reducing both intersection crashes and the number of red light running violations.”

In 2003, red light running in the U.S. caused 206,000 crashes, resulting in 934 deaths and 176,000 injuries. Red light running is the number one cause of intersection crashes in urban areas. Societal costs top $14 billion per year.

Organizations that have endorsed the use of red light cameras include; The World Health Organization, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the National Safety Council, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running is a national advocacy group guided by an independent advisory board that includes leaders from the fields of traffic safety, law enforcement, transportation engineering, health care and emergency medicine, as well as crash victims. More information on the Campaign can be found at www.stopredlightrunning.com.

 

North Carolina Red Light Camera Statistics

SPECIFIC RESULTS BY CITY

Cary One intersection saw violations drop from a high of over 500 in early 2004 to just 52 in November 2004. The city is waiting for 18 continuous months of data from all locations before conducting a thorough crash study, however, preliminary evidence also suggests a drop in crashes.
Charlotte In Charlotte, crashes at the city’s red light camera intersections dropped from 4,597 to 2,591, or almost 40 percent. Right-angle crashes have dropped by almost 30 percent and rear-end crashes decreased by almost 50 percent.
Fayetteville Fayetteville has studied traffic data for three years of data before and then three years after the intersections where cameras were installed. Total crashes have dropped from 256 to 214. Right-angle crashes dropped from 91 to 47, a drop of almost 50 percent. Rear-end crashes increased by two.
Greensboro Red light violations are down 20 percent since the cameras were installed. Right-angle crashes dropped from between 23 to 29 percent.
High Point Total crashes decreased 15 percent, and right-angle crashes 23 percent in the first year. Total crashes had decreased 9 percent and right-angle crashes 29 percent in the second year.
Indian Point No data available.
Knightdale New program. No crash or violation reduction information was available.
Marshville No data available.
Monroe Monroe has reported a 50 percent drop in red light running violations.
Raleigh The Institute for Transportation Research and Education with help from North Carolina State University has compared the number of red-light related accidents between camera and non-camera intersections. The result: right-angle crashes were reduced by 42 percent at red-light camera intersections, rear-end crashes went down 25 percent and the total red-light related crashes decreased by 22 percent.
Rocky Mount Rocky Mount has seen total crashes decrease 31 percent, with rear end crashes dropping by 23 percent, and right-angle crashes 17 percent at the intersections with cameras. On the actual approaches with cameras in place, total crashes decreased 28 percent, rear end crashes 25 percent, and angle crashes 25 percent.
Wilmington Reports a 26 percent drop in red light running violations, with right-angle crashes down 23 percent.

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