A study released this morning concludes that the cameras have reduced the rate of fatal crashes by 24 percent in 14 large cities that introduced red light cameras between 1996 and 2004. The study is by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Additionally, the rate of all fatal crashes at intersections with signals — not just red light running crashes — fell 14 percent in the camera cities and crept up 2 percent in the non-camera cities. In the camera cities, there were 17 percent fewer fatal crashes per capita at intersections with signals in 2004-08 than would have been expected. That translates into 159 people who are alive because of the automated enforcement programs.
The new study adds to previous research by showing that cameras reduce not only violations and crashes throughout entire communities but deaths, too.
Complete press release and study: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr020111.html