According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 850 people die and 170,000 are injured each year in crashes caused by drivers running red lights.Although recent stories in the Houston Chronicle might suggest otherwise, photo enforcement programs have been documented as significantly reducing the number of intersection collisions that result from people running red lights.Ventura, California’s program resulted in an 80% decrease in “red-light” crashes and a 29% reduction in crashes city wide.After the first year of operation in Marysville, California there was a 95% reduction in intersection collisions with zero rear-end collisions.Finally, El Paso, Texas reported that they have seen a 57% drop in violations, 80% reduction in overall crashes, 50% reduction in T-bone crashes, and they have had a 0% increase in rear end collisions.Currently there are over 39 cities from a variety of population groups in Texas using photo enforcement equipment.
INTERSECTIONS
FM 518 @ Marina Bay Drive
Egret Bay @ FM 518
Egret Bay @ League City Parkway East
West Main @ IH 45
SH3 @FM 518
These intersections have accounted for 616 accidents since October of 2005. Additionally, each of these intersections was surveyed and the recorded violations were deemed excessive.
Photo enforcement cameras are not general surveillance cameras that observe everyone within range, but are designed only to capture photographic evidence of traffic law violations.Thus, red light cameras are triggered solely by vehicles that enter an intersection on a red light.In other words, photo enforcement is designed to collect no more information than is necessary for law enforcement purposes.
Additionally, all of the operational and administrative costs are paid from the fines collected.If no fines are collected no payments are made!In short, the program is paid for by those that are violating the state statutes.
Therefore, because of the potential reduction of crashes and the mitigation of congestion we think Operation Safe Light has merit for League City.
If you have any further questions regarding this matter please contact Chief Michael Jez at 281-338-8242 or by email
