Tribune Reports Red Light Cameras Don’t Always Reduce Crashes
In an unbelievably revealing piece in Sunday’s newspaper, the Tribune presents some pretty damning information about red light cameras.
The Trib’s Bob Secter and Erika Slife sifted through IDOT crash data for certain Chicago RLC intersections, compared them to city of Chicago crash data.
What they found was the city may be cooking the books on their crash reporting to show that Chicago’s red light program is working, when in fact, at many of these intersections, accidents actually increased.
At best, according to the article, the accident reducing results the city has hung it’s hat on in selling he public on red light cameras, is at best, inconclusive.
A seriously great piece of journalism.
Read their report, “Chicago’s red-light cameras don’t always deter accidents“ and you can check out the raw crash data too.
Thanks to our friend Rajiv Shah at Smart Cameras Blog for the heads up.
YET ANOTHER EPIC GOVERNMENT FAIL!
When will it ever end??? Oh that’s right, it won’t because you people keep voting these scumbags back into office over and over again!
The next election, when you are voting, you’d better think REAL FUCKING HARD about the choices you make and their associated long term consequences…
I find it interesting that in a quick look through some of the data (and I admit it is completely unscientific!) that at the interesections I looked at, rear end crashes have increased, and in some cases are the top type of crashes.
This is telling me people are slamming on the brakes when they see the light turn yellow, out of fear of getting a ticket. In other words, a crash that wouldn’t happen if the cameras weren’t there.
Now, that also means the person behind them is probably following too close, but not in all cases. About a month ago I was northbound on the Drive where it curves at Hollywood. I was in the far left lane. Someone on the lane next to me cut in front of me, and a moment after he did, the light turned yellow, and he instantly slammed on the brakes. I almost rear ended into him. So while it was an idiot move for him to cut in front of me, had he kept going, it would have been no big deal. Both he and I could have made it through the intersection before the light changed to red, but my guess he panicked about getting a ticket.
I’ve always hated those things but I’m starting to get used to them. Luckily this year the city won’t add any more because of budget issues. I truly believe that if Daley and/or aldermen (or alderscum if you prefer) will start advocating to take the cameras off line.
We always knew these things were about money but the politicians tried to play the “safety” card. We shall see. BTW, what I wanted to see were the countdown timers on traffic lights that let you know how long the light will be green so you can pace yourself accordingly.
Mayor Daley has to come clean about his Red Light Ticketing Cameras otherwise his impropriety, overt deceit and greed will finally be consequential. What new perversions of the truth will he trot out for discussion and denial of wrong doing? The Mayor and his henchmen have been caught “red handed” rigging the yellow traffic lights, aborting our US Constitution, exposing the public to undue risk, injury and suffering and for this honor your Honor gets richer.
Because of the Mayor’s action to usurp a tax at every corner camera motorists are forced to drive in constant fear of getting by the $100 flash, getting rear-ended or worse. I submit that to exsit in daily fear of driving or walking because Daley’s draconian government policies is the height of shame this ceases to be living. Our country is faced with enough national challenges without having to be fearful each time one gets into their car.
It must stop! Does someone famous have to be killed or seriously injured before a responsible government agency with the authority to restrict Federal road funding steps up, speaks out and points the accusitory finger to those responsible? We are partly to blame because we sit by and put up with it. Does the Mayor himself or a member of his family have to be injured in a traffic collision predicated by Chicago’s ill-maintained traffic signals coupled with the fear of the $100 flash FORCE the Mayor to temper his revenue greed and start saving lives? As a community, we can’t wait until tragedy strikes. City traffic engineers should be investigated for professional and criminal misconduct by being in collusion for going against their oath “Do No Harm”.
Will this retorict ever reach the ears and minds that are truly listening and thinking of more than their own personal enrichment? This matter cannot be swept under the carpet because everyday as vehicles drive through Chicago and defective traffic signals abruptly disrupt the natural flow of traffic people’s lives will be changed forever by Chicago’s culture of corruption, Chicago’s total disregard for human rights and safety. “CORNERED AT THE CORNERS”
I wonder if there would be any legal bearing against the city if, in the case that I stated above that happened to me, an accident did occur, and the driver ahead of me stated he slammed on the brakes strictly because he was nervous about getting a red light ticket.
Could the city be held accountable for the damages?
Maybe a little far fetched, I wonder how that would play out.
Also, as I get more knowledgeable about where the cameras are, I am finding myself avoiding them by cutting through side streets and even parking lots. I know this isn’t the greatest thing to do, but about a year ago I got a red light ticket when there was absolutely no way I could have stopped without slamming on the brakes and skidding. Because of the short yellow light duration, I entered the intersection a split second after the light changed. So I am finding myself taking less risks, and finding ways around these intersections. And I seriously doubt I am the only one who does this. In essence, the city is actually creating more traffic on residential streets with these cameras.
Greg,
Your example happened to me. I “slammed” on the brakes on a yellow to avoid a ticket and got rear ended. Minor damage, no injuries.
The city won’t be liable because the motorist behind you is required to keep a safe distance. I agree with you that the city should be liable, but the city only pays to crackheads, criminals, and liars. Hardworking, honest people are treated like shit by this city.
cry all you want……..shortshanks needs…..da money…….
Probably about 6 months ago I heard an interview with a congressman from Georgia talking about red light cameras and how the state government made cities with the red light cameras add a second to the yellow light time and all the red light cameras started losing money and are now gone. If safety is the REAL issue all cities have to do is lengthen the time of yellow light and lengthen time before the light turns green. 2-3 seconds would decrease accidents.
CR,
I’d be interested in knowing more about this, and what we might do here in Illinois to get the ball rolling on adding time to the Yellow Lights.
I’ve felt pretty helpless for a while in this City, wondering who we can appeal to for help. The City isn’t listening to it’s Citizens. I hate feeling powerless, and it’s time we appeal to our State Government to bring about some change if our City officials won’t listen and don’t care about us.
-John Adams
john adams,
the problem is madigan pretty much runs the state and he won’t cross daley.
If you have to “slam on the brakes” when a light turns yellow, you are driving too fast.
We are all familiar with traffic signals; you know, the ones we used to stop at back in the 80′s. They go from green to yellow to red.
As one is approaching a green light, he must know that the light MAY turn yellow, correct? Or does it somehow surprise him every single time?
Knowing that the light may turn yellow, he must therefore be alert enough and in command of his vehicle to the degree necessary to RESPOND to it in a fashion that does not result in him skidding and spinning out of control.
RIGHT? I don’t understand!!! If the yellow light, which you know might happen, catches you unprepared and out of control to safely stop, God help the person who runs for a bus, or the kids playing or some family pet that got away.
Assuming you care nothing about anyone but yourself, isn’t it obvious at every intersection that making a left hand turn has become an excessively difficult maneuver because no turner can fully trust oncoming traffic to respond to yellow lights?
Sometimes YOU’RE making the left. Don’t you see how whatever you have gained over the years by accelerating on the yellow is lost in the time you waste behind a line of drivers who are afraid to turn left?
The traffic in this city is out of control. I don’t care how many cameras, or how big the fines, or if the City impounds the red light-running car and crushes it into a cube with the driver still inside it.
Whatever it takes is alright by me. And boy, did that feel good. Happy Thanksgiving!