Cameras reduce collisions

Red light cameras decrease crashes by 30 percent

By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Posted: 12/12/2008 12:00:00 AM MST

EL PASO - Red-light cameras in Texas have decreased crashes by 30 percent. But rear-end bumps rose by 5 percent, according to a just-released study by Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute.

Although El Paso was not included in the study, "Analysis on the Effectiveness of Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement Systems in Texas," the city also reported reductions in collisions, as well as in rear-end crashes, at intersections monitored by red-light cameras.

Troy Walden, assistant research scientist at the institute in College Station, said, "Based on limited data for the first year of statistics we analyzed, the findings suggest some evidence that red-light cameras are performing as they were intended to. They are having a general deterrent effect on motorists."

El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen said he's pleased with the effects red-light cameras are having on El Paso drivers, especially at problem intersections.

"We're seeing a positive return on the cameras here," Allen said. "We don't have enough police to stand on every busy street corner or intersection. And, yes, I would like to see more of them installed. If it makes a person think twice about racing through a light or driving recklessly, then I'm all for it."

Police Sgt. Jack Matthews, El Paso's red-light camera program manager, said the program went into effect in the city on Sept. 15, 2006.

"We now have 24 cameras at 15 different intersections," Matthews said. "Collisions at these intersections are down by 12 percent, collisions with injuries are down nearly 18 percent, and red-light violations are down by 20 percent."

In contrast to the statewide study, Matthews said, rear-end crashes in El Paso are down by 22 percent.
An increase in the number of cameras and newer technology also boosted the number of citations the police issued to violators.

For example, police issued 13,367 citations in 2007, compared with 28,439 citations issued between Jan. 1 and Dec. 6 this year.

The intersections with the most red-light violations are Redd and Ressler, Zaragoza and the Gateways, and Sunland Park and Mesa.

El Paso city officials had not seen the study, and state analysts might have used a different methodology for their figures.

The Texas Transportation Institute study (to be posted at http://tti.tamu.edu) looked at crash statistics for 12 cities, including Houston, Dallas and Corpus Christi, from July 2007 to June 2008. Local law enforcement reported 586 total crashes the year before cameras were installed, compared with 413 the year after the cameras were in place at the same intersections.

Institute officials said El Paso was not in the study because the state Department of Transportation did not receive its statistics by the cutoff date.

Walden said that this is not sufficient historical data to make sweeping conclusions, but that it's a start.

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140

Facts about red-light cameras in El Paso:

• City has 24 cameras at 15 intersections.
• Crashes at crossings with red-light cameras have decreased by 12 percent.
• Running-red-light violations are down by 20 percent.
• Crashes with injuries have decreased 17 percent to 18 percent.
• Rear-end crashes at red-light camera intersections are down 22 percent.
• Sept. 15-Oct. 30, 2006: Program began with 2,332 violators receiving warnings only.
• Since late 2006 to Dec. 6, 2008: 44,482 citations issued.
• Jan. 1-Dec. 6, 2008: 28,439 citations issued.
• 2007: 13,367 citations issued.
• Tickets: $75 for running a red light; city collects 65 to 75 percent.

Source: El Paso Police Department, Sgt. Jack Matthews.