StlouisX50
12-28-2005, 03:40 PM
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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. [It] 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.
Stockton is adding two more cameras this week. Next year drivers should expect to and additional seven cameras installed. That's fine with Stockton resident Chiyo Shingu. "For me, it's nice cause you know where the lights are and you've got to slow down," she said.
Police will analyze the red light data again in a year to see if more motorists heed the red lights.
The fine for a red light citation in Stockton can be as high as $338.
And another source :
Stockton, California Red Light Cameras Increase Accidents
After a year of red light camera enforcement, monitored intersections in Stockton, California are more dangerous.
Stockton crashAfter a year of red light camera use in Stockton, California, monitored intersections are seeing more crashes than ever. The Stockton Recorder newspaper analyzed city statistics and found an eight percent increase in collisions at the seven intersections with cameras since the devices went live in November 2004. Although two intersections saw a drop in accidents, massive accident spikes at others drove the accident rate higher. All together, in 2004 there were 90 accidents compared with 97 a year later.
Despite the lack of positive safety results, the city added two additional cameras last month and is planning to install seven more. The system generated more than $5 million in revenue from the fifteen-thousand $338.50 tickets it has issued so far. The money is split between the city, county, state and Australian camera vendor Redflex which is in charge of the program.
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. [It] 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.
Stockton is adding two more cameras this week. Next year drivers should expect to and additional seven cameras installed. That's fine with Stockton resident Chiyo Shingu. "For me, it's nice cause you know where the lights are and you've got to slow down," she said.
Police will analyze the red light data again in a year to see if more motorists heed the red lights.
The fine for a red light citation in Stockton can be as high as $338.
And another source :
Stockton, California Red Light Cameras Increase Accidents
After a year of red light camera enforcement, monitored intersections in Stockton, California are more dangerous.
Stockton crashAfter a year of red light camera use in Stockton, California, monitored intersections are seeing more crashes than ever. The Stockton Recorder newspaper analyzed city statistics and found an eight percent increase in collisions at the seven intersections with cameras since the devices went live in November 2004. Although two intersections saw a drop in accidents, massive accident spikes at others drove the accident rate higher. All together, in 2004 there were 90 accidents compared with 97 a year later.
Despite the lack of positive safety results, the city added two additional cameras last month and is planning to install seven more. The system generated more than $5 million in revenue from the fifteen-thousand $338.50 tickets it has issued so far. The money is split between the city, county, state and Australian camera vendor Redflex which is in charge of the program.