Red Light/Speeding Cameras in America

Red light cameras and speeding cameras impact the economy by using taxpayer money to install the cameras, taking traffic violators money to benefit the city, and paying the camera vendor company with revenue gained from the cameras. 1 out of every 5 Americans live in a community that pays for a company to install and operate cameras that catch traffic violations. That means thousands are paying for traffic violations and therefore impacting their own cities economic state as well as their country's.

Picture:TrcWebImgsRealTickRedFlexRecd2008Nov13w580.jpg
Link: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/26/local/la-me-red-light-cameras-20110727


Source: Lowy, Joan. "Study Questions Red-light Camera Use." MSNBC. The Associated Press, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://msnbc.msn.com/id/45055125/ns/us_newlife/t/caution-study-questions-red-light-camera-use/#.TuVRbWZ5FT4>.

Frequently asked Question on Red Light Cameras

Q: Isn't the main purpose of RLC's are to make money?
A: Revenue is generated by drivers who continue to run red lights. Ideally, ticket revenue should decline overtime as the cameras succeed in deterring would-be red light runners.

For most drivers, the intentions of red light cameras remain debatable. Some say the red light cameras aren't as innocent as they may seem. Drivers argue that yellow lights aren't long enough therefore making it look like they ran a red light. They say some cities may be doing that on purpose to increase the likelihood of a motorist running a red light and receiving a fine. Other drivers feel safer now that the cameras are in place and don't mind the tickets.

Picture:Yellow+Traffic+Light.jpg
Link: http://www.highwayrobbery.net/


Source: "Q&A: Red Light Cameras." IIHS-HLDI: Crash Testing & Highway Safety. Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety, Sept. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/rlr.html>.

Insurance Companies and Red Light Cameras

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is funded by auto insurance companies. They are the leading advocates for the installments of red light cameras. According to studies, their profits for the company rise when higher auto insurance premiums are issued due to traffic violations from red light cameras. Although on another side of the argument, red light cameras are preventing more car accidents therefore decreasing some auto insurance companies revenue. Then again, studies show that because of the cameras, more elderly are getting killed/injured from other motorists stopping too quickly, therefore increasing profits for insurance companies.



Picture:http://www.carinquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/insurance_logos.jpg
Link: http://www.iihs.org/

Source:Red-light Cameras Increase Crashes, Florida Researchers Find." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Science Daily, 11 Mar. 2008. Web. 09 Dec. 2011. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080311151159.htm>.

Some Cameras Being Removed

Some cities that have installed cameras are removing them due to lack of revenue. Cities believe that because motorists are becoming more aware of the cameras, they're being more cautious while driving and also avoid intersections where they know cameras are placed. Therefore, some cities aren't making enough to pay the red light camera companies nor are they making any profit for their own city. For example, one city was estimated to make 15 million in revenue, but ended up falling short by 4 million. Red light cameras can end up costing a city more than they make. Some cities feel more concerned about the profit than the safety of the drivers. The cameras can end up having a negative impact on the areas economy rather than a positive one. Most big cities expect to have a large profit, whereas smaller towns are taking a bigger risk.


Picture: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7S2TNKLP8-F1BwaoXMpEdCz1yTvUBeiel1r21S51RTJSMxG4bP1_a1W5KKU3yEnL-qqTqTf_h_SPaHPT3amGdDKAPk-Gv5L2zmlKeaS5YEg2AqaAfuyNVZ6Ds0dAIoyQFUoHOtQJ0CA/s400/red-light+runner.jpg
Link: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/l-a-city-council-votes-to-remove-red-light-cameras/

Source: Johnson, M. Alex. "Do Red Light Cameras Work Too Well? - US News - Crime & Courts - Msnbc.com." Msnbc.com - Breaking News, Science and Tech News, World News, US News, Local News- Msnbc.com. MicroSoft National Broadcasting Company, 21 Mar. 2008. Web. 09 Dec. 2011. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23710970/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/red-light-cameras-too-good-their-own-good/>.

Costs for Cameras in Dallas

The amount some camera ticket vendors make depends on the city and the contract they have with the city. Vendors can end up making a huge amount in revenue from the red light cameras. Dallas contracts with Afflicted Computer System and pays $3,800 per each 59 cameras each month. That means ACS collects around $250,000 of taxpayer money each month from the cameras. Overall, they've spent nearly 30 million on red light cameras with the ACS company. Big cities with red light cameras often make a big profit, however so do the camera vendors. The report says that contracts between cities and camera vendors puts ticket revenue as a higher priority than actual safety. However, there has been a 38% decrease in accidents near Dallas.


Picture: http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/Red%20Light%20cameras.jpg
Link: http://www.dallascityhall.com/pubsafe/safelight_fact.html

Source: Wilonsky, Robert. "Latest Red Light Camera Study Questions the System's Financial and Safety Perks - Dallas News - Unfair Park." The Dallas Observer Blogs. Dallas Observer Blog, 2011. Web. 09 Dec. 2011. <http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/10/latest_red_light_camera_study.php>.

Savings in Spain

Cameras also affect the economy in other countries. Places like London and Barcelona are installing cameras at busy intersections as well. In Barcelona, Spain a study was done between 2003 to 2005 estimated that there was 6.8 million Euros saved in medical/repair costs after speeding cameras were put in place. The researchers say that these are just the minimum costs saved and that it was more likely that almost 23 million in Euros were saved. Based on previous data, researchers say that there would be 364 fewer road accidents and 507 fewer people injured. Overall the city is going to save money with the cameras put in place.


Picture: http://www.greenguidespain.com/andalucia/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/eco-friendly-speed-camera.jpg
Link: http://www.mamunahmed.com/08/speed-camera-fines-how-to-pay-spanish-speeding-or-driving-fine-from-uk/

Source: "Speed Cameras in Urban Areas save Millions in Cash, Analysis Finds." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Science Daily, 27 July 2011. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727204412.htm>.

Profit from Cameras Depend on the City

The city could either gain or lose money depend on where they place the cameras. The fines must be more in value than the cost to operate in order to make revenue for the city. For example, in a city like Houston, Texas, they make quite a bit of revenue.

 Fines Collected: $24,112,054 Cost to Operate: $8,432,372 Profit: $15,679,682 State Revenue Share: $7,839,841

Then, in a city like Hurst, Texas, the cameras cost more to operate than the profit they make from ticket fees.

Fines Collected: $66,649 Cost to Operate: $114,358 Profit: $0 State Revenue Share: $0


Picture: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-transportation/red-light-cameras/cities-collect-100-million-from-red-light-cameras/
Link: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-transportation/red-light-cameras/cities-collect-100-million-from-red-light-cameras/

Source: Stiles, Matt. "Texas Red-Light Camera Revenue." The Texas Tribune. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Nov. 2007. Web. 09 Dec. 2011. <http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-red-light-camera-revenue/>.

Red Light Cameras in Des Moines

5 weeks after July 3rd, 2011 (date in which warning were no longer issued and the red light camera tickets were in effect), Des Moines had already caught more than 1000 motorists running red-lights. Most receive $65 citations. Des Moines pays their camera vendor $25 from each $65 ticket.  Revenue from the lights are expected to be a lot and the residents have mixed emotions about the lights. Some say the lights have good intentions and improve safety while others say the cameras are for profit only. Most drivers are frustrated with the cost of the violations. Families who are struggling financially find it especially frustrating.



Picture Source: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Des-Moines-Cameras-Caught-More-Than-1000-Drivers--127296598.html
Link: http://www.cityofclive.com/departments/police/red-light-cameras/

Source: "Des Moines Cameras Caught More Than 1,000 Drivers | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather | Local News." KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather. The Des Moines Register, 9 Aug. 2011. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Des-Moines-Cameras-Caught-More-Than-1000-Drivers--127296598.html.

Crash Costs Before and After Red Light Camera Installations

BEFORE RLC:

Right Angle Crashes: 466,814,067 Rear End: $69,347,624 Total: 161,843,021

AFTER RLC:

Right Angle Crashes: $48,319,090 Rear End: $75,222,780 Total: 147,470,550

Right angle crashes go down while rear end crashes go up. People assume that drivers brake fast when they remember the red light cameras, causing more rear end crashes. Overall, however, total crashes after the red light camera installations have decreased. This can affect the economy by decreasing the profit insurance companies make because crashes are going down. Also, hospital bills may decrease as well as ticket revenue.

Picture: http://www.fortlauderdalecriminalattorneyblog.com/703px-red-light-camera-springfield-ohio.jpg

Link: http://www.autos.com/auto-repair/average-cost-of-a-rear-end-collision-repair

Source: Scales, Kabco. "Safety Evaluation of Red-Light Cameras–Executive Summary - FHWA-HRT-05-049." Home | Federal Highway Administration. United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration, 13 June 2011. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/05049/>.

Speed Cameras in Des Moines

More than 4,400 speed citations were issued in Des Moines this October, 2011. It is expected to make $176,500 in revenue. The city must pay fees to Gatso, USA; the camera vendor company. $25 dollars out of every $65 ticket goes to the company. After fees are paid, the city is expected to gain $87,953 from the speed cameras which will channel to the city's general fund. The money is used to fund the city's police, fire departments, libraries and parks. In a way, the tickets help the public, but also does put an extra strain on those who can't afford the violations at the time.


Picture:http://www.aolcdn.com/ch_autos/20100126_speed-cameras_614mz
Link: http://www.gatso-usa.com/

Source: Pulliam, Jason. "Freeway Speed Cameras in Des Moines Nab 4,400 in October | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com." The Des Moines Register | Des Moines News, Community, Entertainment, Yellow Pages and Classifieds. Serving Des Moines, Iowa | DesMoinesRegister.com. The Des Moines Register, 22 Nov. 2011. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111122/NEWS/111122021/Freeway-speed-cameras-Des-Moines-nab-4-400-October>.