Red Light Cameras
What is a red light camera?
A red light camera is a camera system that is connected to a traffic signal, it monitors when the traffic signal turns red. A sensor connected to the red light camera also monitors traffic flow. After the traffic signal has turned red for a preset time the camera system is then triggered by any vehicle that enters the intersection. Many camera systems are setup to provide a 0.5s grace period. After this period a violation will trigger the red light camera and a series of photos and/or video will record the vehicle entering the intersection whilst the red light is show, as well as the vehicle travelling through the intersection. In addition the red light camera will record the time, date and elapsed time since the red light. Often systems will record vehicle speed and license plate if equipped. Violators will then be sent a traffic ticket which is mailed to the owner of the vehicle.
What is running a red light?
If a motorist enters an intersection a period of time after the traffic signal has turned red, the motorist is deemed to have “run a red light” or to be a “red light runner” . If a motorist is already inside the intersection when the traffic signal turns red (ie: waiting to turn left) they are not considered a violator.
What safety benefits do red light cameras provide?
Red light cameras have been shown to substantially reduce traffic signal violations. Studies have shown that red light camera enforcement reduced “red light running” violations by about 40 percent. As well as reducing violations at intersections equipped with cameras, violation are reduced in the near by community, even those intersections not equipped with red light cameras.
In addition studies have shown that crashes at intersections are reduced with the presence of camera red lights. Front/side collisions, the most common type of accident due to running a red light, were reduced by 32 percent overall. Some studies also indicate that rear-end collisions increase slightly. However because crashes prevented tend to be far more severe than a rear-end collision the overall benefit is positive.
How to find the red light camera locations in your area?
If you visit a site like SpeedCameraPOI.com, you will find a community generated database of POI or geographic location information, this includes thousands of red light cameras. The information collected is offered in popular formats for common GPS navigation devices so it can be added to warn you when approaching them. You can download free data that includes speed camera, traffic camera, police speedtraps and mobile radar data.
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