Red light camera systems tend to be the very first approach
that a city takes towards "intersection safety". This is
wrong.
The Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration have jointly published the
"Red Light Camera Operational Guidelines" (see source #2).
These guidelines state that the proper progression to red
light cameras is;
1. Intersection Engineering Improvements
Engineering solutions to be considered include, but are not
limited to, modifying traffic signal timing, improving
signing and marking, improving sight lines, modifying
grades and/or grade separation, adjusting the prevailing
speeds, changes in surface treatments, altering lane
configuration, and replacing the traffic signal with some
other form of traffic control device or intersection type.
2. Education
A well-designed public information and education campaign
will assist motorists and the general public in
understanding the safety issues inherent to red light
running. It will provide information and data that explain
what red light running is, why red light running is
dangerous, and what actions are currently being undertaken
to reduce the incidence of red light running.
3. Traditional Enforcement By Law Enforcement
Officers
Traditional enforcement efforts by law enforcement officers
specifically targeting red light running violators can be a
cost effective deterrent in reducing red light violations
at problem intersections.
4. Red Light Camera Systems
Red light camera systems can be a cost effective tool to
reduce red light violations. Red light camera systems
should be part of a comprehensive intersection safety
program, which considers all countermeasures to reduce
fatal and injury crashes at intersections.
Clearly, cities that install red light camera systems
without following this progression violate these
guidelines. They also shatter the illusion that their use
of these systems is related to traffic safety.
