Red-light cameras reduce crashes in Texas

In Texas, intersections that are monitored with red-light cameras have 30% fewer collisions, according to a new report released this week by the Texas Transportation Institute, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The statewide study analyzed data from 56 intersections in 12 cities between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, and compared crashes before the cameras with crashes after the cameras were installed. Right-angle crashes dropped 43% (265 before to 151 after). Rear-end collisions actually increased 5% (106 to 111). Overall, collisions declined 30% from 586 to 413.

“While these results cannot conclusively determine that red-light cameras are responsible for the overall reduction in crashes,” the report said, “the presence of the treatment provided some effect on the frequency of crashes at the selected intersections for the limited time period of this analysis.”

The results were in agreement with what Texas state lawmakers were told before they passed the law last year requiring the study. The state legislature was told right-angle crashes, which are responsible for more deaths and injuries, would likely decline, and rear-end collisions would increase as drivers adjusted to the camera enforcement by jamming on their brakes to avoid going through the intersection and incurring a citation.