Red Light Cameras Coming Soon to an Intersection Near You
20 January 1999
A Ticket in a Flash -- Red Light Cameras Coming Soon to an Intersection Near You
LOS ANGELES--Jan. 19, 1999--Whether distracted or just in a hurry, drivers that run red lights cause an estimated 260,000 automobile crashes a year -- resulting in approximately 750 deaths.
A recent study found that on average a motorist runs a red light every 12 minutes, even more often during peak times.
Measures are being taken to prevent these careless crashes, measures that have already proven to be effective. Red light cameras have been sprouting up at select locations in California, but soon these cameras are expected to blanket major cities throughout the state.
San Francisco is expanding its red light camera operations from five to as many as 35 intersections and San Diego will go from four cameras to 16. In addition, dozens of cities are planning to implement the use of red light cameras including Los Angeles, Pasadena, Pleasanton, Riverside, Sacramento and San Jose.
Red light cameras have proven to be effective, even for intersections that are not equipped with them. Studies conducted in Oxnard and San Francisco found a 42% drop in red light violations six months after the cameras were installed.
"California is cracking down on red light runners. No one should die at a stoplight," said Candysse Miller, regional director of the Western Insurance Information Service. "Not only has the fine for red light violations recently been raised from $104 to $270, but innovative technology is being used to protect lives."
The Western Insurance Information Service is a non-profit, non-lobbying media relations organization supported by the property/casualty insurance industry. WIIS has spokespeople in both Northern and Southern California. For more information on this and other safety issues contact media relations at 800/493-6282 or visit the website at www.wiis.org.
