Red-light cameras haven't improved safety, L.A. city controller says

Los Angeles’ much-debated red light camera program has bypassed some of the city’s most dangerous intersections, cost more than $2.5 million over the last two years and failed to adequately demonstrate an improvement in safety, according to an audit due to be released Wednesday by City Controller Wendy Greuel.

The study, the first independent assessment of a program that catches tens of thousands of violators annually, comes as officials are hoping to add to the city’s 32 photo-enforced intersections. Details of the audit findings are scheduled to be released at a morning news conference with Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and City Councilman Dennis Zine.

Greuel’s office noted in an advisory that the decade-old camera program was supposed to reduce accidents at the highest-risk intersections. But auditors found that some of the most accident-prone corners were passed over -- partly for political reasons, such as ensuring that at least one camera system was placed in each of the 15 City Council districts.

Only half of the intersections equipped with cameras showed a reduction in accidents, according to Greuel’s office.

LAPD officials, who have insisted that the cameras have improved safety and reduced fatalities at those intersections, were not immediately available for comment.

But program operators at the LAPD and city transportation department have been unable to conclusively document safety improvements, the audit found. A more comprehensive means of evaluating the effectiveness of cameras is needed, the report says.

-- Rich Connell

Comments

[redc1c4]

typical: spend who knows how much money to prove something isn't w*rking, and the response is that we should spend more money on finding a way to prove it w*rks.

since you can't get LAPD to come to a TA unless there is a major injury, or one of their vehicles is involved, the "records" of accidents at any intersection are junk. the city has no more idea what happens at these intersections than they do on how to run a city efficiently.

enough already.

[Pedro Gambino-Gotti]

Charlie wants more but they're made in AZ. What's an illegal-loving Charlie to do?
Si Se Puede!!!

[Mark Trujillo]

This story, and this issue, needs a LOT more.

I note, a KEY point that has managed to fly under the coverage since the get go is that LAPD does NOT take any accident report unless there was an injury, absolutely refuses to take a non-injury accident report.

Because of that policy, it is IMPOSSIBLE to know whether the red light cameras have done anything to reduce accidents and we have no idea how many accidents there were before the cameras were installed!

You can not even ascribe them to having an affect on injury-accidents, because those have gone down nationwide without red light cameras, even on the highways -- because of much better safety factors in cars, such as widespread use now of air bags, better bumpers, more use of anti-lock brakes, etc. It is NOT the red light cameras that have brought down the injures, it is these safety measures -- otherwise we would see the reduction ONLY where there are red light cameras.

Whenever considering these reports full of numbers and "experts" comments, you must remember the old adage: liers figure and figures lie. Do not be so easily led by these reports and be manipulated into spreading their lies.

Let's face it, the only reason these cameras are in there is "la mordita," to raise money the old fashioned way by using a false excuse to take a bite of your wallet. This is a glaring example of the corruption of government as a corrupted approach to funding government.

[Jose]

Don't forget:

The program was sold based on someone barreling recklessly through a red light.

In actuality, many, if not most, tickets are issued to people safely turning right on red without a complete stop.

There's a big difference.

[AJ]

Everyone talks about how the red light cameras increase accidents, or the yellow light is shortened. But you don't understand how they work. If you're IN the intersection when it turns red, you don't get caught unless someone behind you enters the intersection. That's because the sensor that activates the camera is at the limit line (for you uninfomred folk, that's where you are supposed to stop.) Otherwise, you would get red light tickets for making left hand turns. And for the "it increases rear end collisions" crowd - if people would pay more attention, they wouldn't run into the people in front of them. Put the cell phone down and quit texting. You are not important enough that your phone call / text can't wait.

[Pizzedoff]

Well, then there's at least two of us on this blog "in the know" August. Good to have you onboard. I used to write for the American's Bulletin in the 90's. I wrote the "Redlined On The Right To Travel" series.

[RobertM]

I think we should wait to hear the response from the professional traffic safety personnel and law enforcement personnel before making any judgments on the contribution to safety by the red-light cameras. I just read an article today about a community in Missouri where collisions went down by 83% at intersections where cameras were installed. I think when all the facts are in, we will find that the camera enforcement reduces collisions.

[yogilives]

It's a simple equation really, more enforcement equals more deterrence, more deterrence means fewer collisions (I can't call the result of reckless behavior an "accident"), injuries and deaths - which is the whole point in having traffic laws in the first place. As the article says the number of collisions has declined in half the intersections, which tells me that we need MORE cameras so drivers will KNOW they are going to get caught (instead of thinking they might get away with it) and then they WILL alter their habits and THAT will save lives!

[objectiv1]

An honest city official.
How rare!

[cubuffalo]

This is strange. "over half the intersections showed reduced accidents"

Seems pretty good to me.

[Tony]

why don't you put them in the high risk areas and do the test again...red light running and speeding go hand in hand and the cameras help change these bad driving habits

[minie]

Maybe if the fine is high enough people will start paying attention and stop running red lights! Pay attention people!!

[YC]

Wait so what exactly did this article say? I know the headline says they don't work, but from reading the article it seems like they actually done pretty well so far. Also, it looks like the report says it wasn't even conclusive and that further study is needed. I wouldn't read too much into this yet, or at least until they find a, in their terms, "more comprehensive way" of evaluating the cameras.

[crzydadof4]

The fact that the cameras reduced accidents at half of the installed intersections means that they are worth it in my opinion. Anything that can prevent accidents and catch those who cause them is a great tool that should be used to its fullest potential.

[s washington]

If we need better a better way to evaluate the situation, then let's get it done - so many cities have proven these cameras work to change driving behavior - it's hard to believe it hasn't happened here too.