Speed and Red Light Cameras
Automated enforcement uses cameras to capture images of vehicles committing traffic violations – most commonly, speeding and red light running. If a violation is evident, a citation is mailed to the vehicle owner. Many state laws specify when, where and how automated enforcement can be carried out.
Cameras don't replace traditional traffic enforcement activities. Rather, they augment traditional law enforcement efforts and address the public perception of the risk of "getting caught." Getting drivers to change behavior requires consistent enforcement, which automated camera systems provide.
Learn More About Speed and Red Light Cameras
Support Letter to House Subcommittee 
[1.1 MB, 3 pgs.] (July 20, 2010)
Critics of automated enforcement argue that it exists is to make money for law enforcement agencies. However, the objective of automated enforcement is to deter violators, not to catch them. Signs and publicity campaigns typically warn drivers that photo enforcement is in use. Revenue is generated from fines paid, but this is a fundamental component of all traffic enforcement programs.
GHSA supports the use of automated enforcement in efforts to enforce speeding, red light running and other traffic violations and urges states to enact legislation allowing the use of these technologies by the law enforcement community.
Red Light Running
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were more than 2.3 million reported intersection-related crashes, resulting in more than 7,770 fatalities and approximately 733,000 injury crashes in 2008. It is difficult to get a clear picture of the problem, because red light running may not be collected or categorized as such on crash report forms.
While education and engineering solutions are clearly important in combatting red light running, automated enforcement has been receiving greater attention as an effective tool.
In 2005, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued Red Light Camera Systems Operational Guidelines. These guidelines are intended to foster discussions and initiatives that will improve intersection safety. FHWA also offers a Red-Light Running program that provides traffic safety information and guidelines to address red light running.
The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running
The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running is dedicated to reducing the incidence of red light running in the United States and the fatalities and injuries it causes.
The campaign includes a team of leaders from the fields of law enforcement, transportation engineering, healthcare and emergency medicine, and traffic safety, to tackle this crucial safety issue. GHSA serves on the National Advisory Board for the campaign.
For more information, visit www.stopredlightrunning.com.
Speeding
Speeding-related fatalities continue to be a serious highway safety problem, accounting for approximately 13,000 deaths a year—roughly a third of all traffic fatalities.
Despite progress in so many other areas of highway safety, as a nation, little success has been shown at addressing the speeding challenge. In recent years, speed cameras have become more prevalent as a way to address the problem.
The 2005 Report from the National Forum on Speeding [564 KB, 29 pgs.] advocates for speed camera programs when they are in place for safety and not for revenue purposes and when they are in areas with demonstrated need and public support. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report [896 KB, 8 pgs.] demonstrates the effectiveness of speed cameras in reducing highway speeds.
Unfortunately, only a small percentage of jurisdictions in our country use speed cameras in their enforcement efforts. That must be greatly increased if we are to make any progress at reducing speed-related fatalities.
GHSA Policy
Excerpted from
GHSA's Highway Safety Policies & Priorities [113 KB, 27 pgs.]
F. Speed, Speeding and Aggressive Driving
F.4 Use of Speed Detection Devices
GHSA supports state and national efforts to prohibit the sale and/or use of speed detection devices (e.g. radar and laser detectors) by the public because such devices undermine law enforcement efforts to control motor vehicle speeds and enhance highway safety.
F.5 Automated Traffic Enforcement Technologies
Advanced technologies, such as Lidar and speed cameras, have proven to be effective tools in ensuring compliance with speed limits and other traffic laws. GHSA supports the use of automated enforcement technology in efforts to enforce speed, red light running and other traffic laws and urges states to enact legislation allowing the use of these technologies by the law enforcement community.
GHSA supports the use of automated enforcement technologies, in combination with engineering analyses and public information campaigns, as part of the coordinated implementation of state Strategic Highway Safety Plans to reduce the number of deaths resulting from traffic law violations.
M. Roadway Safety
M.5 Red Light Running
The Association urges states to utilize automated enforcement to address the problem of red light running and speeding.
In order to maximize safety benefits, jurisdictions should use enforcement cameras appropriately and effectively. GHSA therefore endorses the following principles:
- Cameras should be used at high crash sites or in situations where traffic law enforcement personnel cannot be deployed safely. There should be a traffic engineering analysis of each site before traffic cameras are installed and citations issued.
- Cameras are not to replace traditional law enforcement personnel or to mitigate safety problems caused by deficient road design, construction or maintenance.
- Use of cameras should be preceded by a public information campaign. The campaign should continue throughout the life of the automated enforcement program.
- Cameras should not be used as a revenue generator. Compensation paid for an automated traffic law system should be based on its value and not on the amount of revenue it generates nor the number of tickets issued. Revenues derived from the automated enforcement program should be used solely to fund highway safety functions.