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| Lifesaving
Technology Deserves Fair Hearing in Chapel Hill CHAPEL HILL, NC (January 9, 2004) – A SafeLight camera report released today by the Town of Chapel Hill showed 1,106 motorists ran red lights at two intersections during a three-month period. At the same time, the red light cameras have issued citations to approximately 36% of the offenders – 401 at the two locations, 100 more than the number typically issued by the entire police force each year. “Catching red light runners using traditional law enforcement techniques of observation, chase, and citation is both difficult and dangerous. Using red light cameras is a safe and effective way to enforce traffic laws and protect the privacy of law-abiding citizens,” stated Dr. Doug Robertson, Director of the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. During the 1990s, 147 people died in North Carolina in car crashes resulting from red light violations, placing the state 20th in the nation. The Chapel Hill Town Council will take up the question of whether to remove the camera program at its meeting on January 12. The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running joins several members of the Council in calling for allowing the cameras to remain in place. “This is about the safety of our city streets,” said Council member Dorothy Verkerk. “The citizens of Chapel Hill deserve the right to travel through intersections without worrying that a red light runner may injure or kill them.” “This report shows an alarming number of violations and indicates a serious red light running problem in Chapel Hill,” said Council member Jim Ward. “At the very least, the situation merits a longer period of examination before a final decision is made.” “Too many drivers do not consider running a red light to be a serious traffic offense or a danger to their fellow citizens,” said Leslie Blakey, executive director of the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running. “More than 181,000 Americans are killed or injured each year because someone wants to save a minute or two.” The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running
is an industry-funded, advocacy initiative guided by an independent
national advisory board and focuses on both the national and grass
roots levels. The goal of the Campaign is to reduce the incidence
of red light running and the fatalities and injuries it causes. Red Light Running and Photo Enforcement - An Overview Red Light Running and Photo Enforcement - Myth vs. Reality
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