AAA SaysRed-Light Cameras Should Not Replace Sound Traffic Engineering

    CHICAGO--May 1, 2002--AAA recommended today that local jurisdictions considering red-light cameras should first apply all practical traffic engineering countermeasures.
    While recognizing the dangers of the alarming increase of crashes due to red-light running, delegates to the AAA Annual Meeting, celebrating the association's centennial, gave strong support to specific engineering measures designed to reduce these crashes. These include engineering improvements such as adjusting signal timing, making lane improvements, evaluating sight-distances and improving signage.
    "Although some local jurisdictions are looking at red-light cameras as the quick fix, it is not always the most effective means of reducing crashes at intersections," said Susan G. Pikrallidas, vice president of AAA Public Affairs.
    According to safety analyses conducted by AAA Michigan, implementation of various engineering safety countermeasures other than red-light cameras have resulted in significant decreases in intersection crashes.
    In the new policy adopted by AAA, the delegates also emphasized that the penalties for red-light running should be levied against the driver of the vehicle, not the owner. They stated that the enforcement of red-light cameras should be coupled with an intensive public information campaign and signs should be prominently displayed to inform motorists that such devices are in use.
    In addressing another important traffic safety issue, delegates also amended its child occupant restraint policy. This policy clarifies that children up to one year and 20 pounds should always be placed in approved, properly installed rear-facing child safety seats; however, they can remain rear-facing to the upper weight limit of the child safety seat. The delegates recognize that the child seat industry has been able to produce rear-facing seats that meet the government performance standards in excess of 20 pounds.
    "We will be strongly recommending in all of our training materials that small children be positioned in rear-facing seats for as long as possible," said Pikrallidas. "As a follow up to the national launch of our "Seated Safe and Secure" child passenger safety campaign in March, we will continue to work with the traffic safety community to educate the public about what it means to be properly restrained."
    As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its 45 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.