Collisions Increase at Some Stockton Red Light Camera Intersections

[The Straight Story]

Collisions Increase at Some Stockton Red Light Camera Intersections
Written for the web by C. Johnson, Internet News Producer


First-year results from Stockton's red light camera intersections show collisions have actually increased at a majority of them.

The city of Stockton has installed cameras to snap photographs of red light violators at 11 intersections. In the past year, the cameras have captured some 15,000 drivers going through red lights, among other violations. "The raw data may not show we're seeing substantial reductions," said Lt. Jim Pickens. "But issuing that many tickets, it gets around that cameras are there. makes people slow down."

The presence of cameras most likely does compel some drivers to slow down and obey traffic laws, but what has Stockton police somewhat surprised is that at seven of the intersections, collisions have increased 8 percent since the cameras were installed 18 months ago. Police don't know why and are reserving judgment. "It's going to take more than a year to see how effective it really is," Pickens said.

The lieutenant pointed out that the number of collisions is down at the other four intersections.

http://www.kxtv.com/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15032

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

1. It's obvious.

People cross the white line on the yellow light, suddenly remember the camera is there, slam on their brakes, and get rear-ended.

Or they realize the light's turning red so they speed up hoping to make it through, and get t-boned when the cross traffic goes green.

Duh.

[ret5hd]

2. from what i have read in the past, some of the reason is...

that they have shortened the time the yellow light stays on (in an effort to maximize profits from ticketing those photographed).

And also, studies have shown that the best way, by far, to minimize accidents at intersections is to lengthen the time the yellow stays on (exactly the opposite of what has happened).

Sorry, i do not have anything handy to back up what i have posted...just remembering from previous 'net perusals.

[tatertop]

3. That certainly makes sense