iihs.org Automated enforcement Number of U.S. communities with speed cameras and red light cameras January 2016 Automated enforcement uses technology to enforce traffic safety laws. Most programs are for red light violations; however, automated enforcement also is used to enforce speeding violations. Leading types of injury crashes on urban roads The leading cause of injury-producing crashes on urban roads is disregarding a traffic control device, such as traffic lights and stop signs. ran traffic control device stopped or stopping ran off road lane change left turn oncoming In 2012 on U.S. roads, about 158,000 red light running crashes caused about 133,000 injuries and about 700 deaths. Over half of the deaths were pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles hit by red light runners. Typical red light camera system components Red light camera systems are triggered when a vehicle enters an intersection after the light has been red for a predetermined time. This photo was taken by a red light camera more than 7 seconds after the light turned red. The red car entered the intersection going 55 mph. Reductions in red light violations Per 10,000 vehicles Evaluations of camera programs in Fairfax, Va., and Oxnard, Calif., found substantial reductions in violation rates throughout the program communities, not just at intersections with cameras. Red light violation rates by seconds into red phase, before and after ticketing began Per 10,000 vehicles Evaluations of the camera program in Arlington, Va., found reductions in violation rates were greater the longer after the light turned red, when violations are more likely to cause crashes. Citywide crash reductions at intersections with traffic signals after camera enforcement A study in Oxnard, Calif., found citywide crash reductions at intersections with traffic signals, with greater reductions in more severe right- angle crashes. Reductions in fatal crash rates in large cities with long-standing red light camera programs A study of red light camera programs in 14 large U.S. cities found the cameras were associated with significant reductions in the citywide rates of fatal red light running crashes and all fatal crashes at traffic signals. Changes in crashes attributed to red light cameras 7-city study Opponents point out that red light cameras can increase rear-end crashes. However, a study by the Federal Highway Administration found that an increase in rear-end crashes was more than offset by a large decrease in more severe angle crashes. Reductions in red light violations per 10,000 vehicles from longer yellow signal timing and red light cameras In Philadelphia, longer yellow signal timing reduced red light violations by 36%, but the addition of red light cameras further reduced violations by 96% beyond levels achieved by the yellow signal timing. Percent of drivers favoring red light cameras 14 large cities with red light camera programs About two-thirds of drivers in 14 large cities with long-standing red light camera programs supported the cameras. Speeding is a factor in about one-third of fatal crashes in the U.S., killing about 900 people every month. The economic cost of speed-related crashes is estimated to be more than $59 billion each year. Speed cameras are activated when a vehicle is traveling significantly faster than the posted limit, based on the radar-calculated speed. An image of the vehicle and sometimes video of the vehicle are recorded distance (feet) Photo Radar Speed cameras are widely used around the world to reduce speed violations. Mobile speed cameras can be manned by police; fixed cameras are placed at specific roadside locations. Trend in U.S. communities with speed cameras The number of U.S. communities using speed cameras has been steadily increasing since 1995. Reductions in proportion of vehicles exceeding speed limit by more than 10 mph After camera enforcement Significant reductions in the proportion of vehicles traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit have occurred after camera enforcement. Spillover effects from automated enforcement Reductions in proportion of vehicles exceeding speed limit by more than 10 mph In Montgomery County, Md., speed cameras were used on residential roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less and in school zones. The odds of speeding declined on roads with cameras, roads where signs were posted but cameras were not yet operational, and similar roadways with 40 mph speed limits. Review of international research shows that speed camera enforcement reduces injury and fatal crashes Wilson et al., studies 8-50% reduction in injury crashes in the vicinity of camera sites 11-44% reduction in fatal or serious injury crashes in the vicinity of camera sites 17-58% reduction in fatal or serious injury crashes over wider areas Opinions of residents during speed camera enforcement programs Montgomery County (MD) Scottsdale (AZ) think speeding is a problem on targeted roads 74%79% aware of speed cameras 60%90% favor speed camera use on targeted roads 62%77% The majority of residents in communities with speed camera programs think speeding is a problem, are aware of camera enforcement, and favor it. Privacy issues Driving is a regulated activity on public roads. There are lesser expectations of privacy in motor vehicles, and no right to privacy for license plates. Cameras are widely used in public places such as airports and transit terminals for safety purposes. These applications observe each person simply passing by, whereas traffic enforcement cameras are limited to traffic law violators. Opponents of camera enforcement often raise privacy concerns, but there appear to be no inherent constitutional barriers. iihs.org More information and links to our YouTube channel and Twitter feed at iihs.org