Red Light Camera News Warren, OH: Put brakes on traffic light issue
Put brakes on traffic light issue
September 6, 2011
Editorial Board (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
) , Tribune Chronicle | TribToday.com
Hopefully, the nationwide trend toward banning traffic light cameras prevents the issue from resurfacing in Warren.
According to an Associated Press story published recently in the Tribune Chronicle, Houston, Texas is removing all 70 of its red-light cameras. Despite being outspent 10 to 1, a citizens group won a ballot referendum putting an end to Houston's traffic signal cameras.
These cameras snap the photo of drivers and their license plate numbers when they run red lights. Citations are mailed to the vehicle owners who must then tender their fines. Advocates claim the cameras increase safety. Opponents say they are driven by profit for the camera companies and cities trying to squeeze more money from over-taxed citizens.
We agree with the latter. If cities really wanted to increase safety, they would increase the duration of the yellow lights and delay the red lights turning green. If safety really was the concern, the camera company in Houston would not have filed a $25 million lawsuit against the city.
If the cameras really increased safety, how does one explain the accident statistics in Western Springs, Ill? The town saw a decrease in accidents after it installed red light cameras, but an increase in crashes at the two intersections with the cameras. One intersection saw a 190 percent increase in wrecks. Many such intersections see an increase in rear-end collisions because drivers tend to slam on their breaks for yellow lights to avoid the camera.
Business owners in Warren lobbied against the proposal here saying it would deter customers. The business owners were criticized for such a position, but national trends show them to be correct.
Take the small town of McKenzie, Tenn., for example. Facebook users have written comments like ''I'll never drive through McKenzie again,'' and one local businessman petitioned city council, telling members that he has heard visitors who received tickets swear that they're never going to shop in McKenzie again.
In the past five years, five Ohio cities (Cincinnati, Steubenville, Garfield Heights, Chillicothe and Heath) have voted to ban photo enforcement and two more (East Cleveland and South Euclid) will vote on bans in November. Dayton has a non-binding photo enforcement referendum on the ballot.
Across the country, cities big and small are opting to ban the devices. Albuquerque, N.M., will take an advisory vote in October on banning the cameras. Traffic camera companies, meanwhile, continue pumping money into legal maneuvers to prevent bans.
Hopefully it never reaches that level in Warren. Everybody would be better off if the issue simply never returns.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Articles Menu
Find Info
Latest Comments
Member Login
