Last night at the Public Safety Meeting, we heard a presentation from a company called Redflex. The company is a provider of automated photo enforcement systems for Traffic Lights. When someone runs a red light that is monitored, photographs and video are captured and sent electronically to the Police for review. Once an officer reviews the violation, a citation can be issued to the owner of the car. (However, the driver is not identified and charged, therefore it is not treated as a moving violation for insurance purposes).
I was initially skeptical mainly over concerns of cost. However, we learned that the systems are installed and maintained at absolutely zero cost to the Village. The program is completely funded by a portion of the violation fines. The system is also not allowed to be used for anything other than the actual red light violation. (Currently, NJ state law prohibits use of these devices for other infractions such as speeding - although that has been changed in other states and may ultimately change in NJ).
Certainly, there are still many questions to still be addressed and no decision or recommendation is imminent, but the concept is an interesting one and one that seems to have gained momentum in other parts of the country.
I'd be interested to hear what you think.....
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3 comments:
I think red light cameras would be a good idea, in principle, if they were deployed to make intersections safer. When they're treated as a revenue source, on the other hand, my impression is that they don't decrease accidents at all - in fact, they may increase the likelihood of collisions. Installing them under an arrangement where the contractor derives their profit from a percentage of the fines collected is a bad idea, therefore, because the contractor's and the public's interests aren't properly aligned - the contractor benefits when fines are issued, but doesn't suffer when accidents increase, or when tickets are unjustly issued.
If you haven't seen them yet, here are a few articles describing other cities' experiences with red-light cameras:
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/06/technology/circuits/06came.html?pagewanted=print
National Motorists Association
http://www.motorists.org/blog/category/red-light-cameras/
Popular Mechanics
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/2420766.html
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301844_pf.html
Virginia DOT Study
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/news.asp?ID=117
i think these devices would be a great way to cut down on violations as well as bring the village much needed revenue. It would be nice to see what the stats are for cars speeding as well as making the intersections safer for people to walk. South Orange, being a college town would benefit by making the intersections safer for students and people crossing the streets.
HORRIBLE IDEA. Due process? What is that?
http://www.motorists.org/blog/red-light-cameras/red-light-cameras-increase-accidents-5-studies-that-prove-it/
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