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Attitudes toward red light camera enforcement in cities with camera programs.
Anne T McCartt1, Angela H Eichelberger
1Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Arlington, Virginia 22201, USA. amccartt@iihs.org
Traffic Injury Prevention
|January 14, 2012
Summary
Most drivers in cities with red light cameras support them, believing they improve safety. However, public education on right-turn-on-red laws and camera accuracy is needed.
Area of Science:
- Traffic Safety Research
- Public Opinion Surveys
- Transportation Policy
Background:
- Red light cameras are used in many cities to enforce traffic laws.
- Public perception and acceptance of these cameras vary.
- Understanding driver attitudes is crucial for effective traffic safety policy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess public attitudes toward red light camera enforcement.
- To compare opinions in cities with active camera programs versus a city that removed them.
- To identify reasons for support and opposition to red light cameras.
Main Methods:
- Telephone surveys conducted with 3111 drivers in 14 cities with camera programs.
- Surveys also included 300 drivers in Houston, where cameras were removed.
- Data were weighted to reflect city population shares for combined analyses.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of drivers in camera cities favor red light cameras; 42% strongly favor them.
- Concerns about camera accuracy and revenue generation were key reasons for opposition.
- While support was similar in Houston, opposition was significantly higher (28% vs. 18%).
Conclusions:
- A majority of drivers in cities with red light cameras support their use and perceive improved safety.
- Enhanced public education is needed regarding right-turn-on-red violations and camera safeguards.
- Addressing public concerns about accuracy and revenue is vital for broader acceptance.
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