Red Light Cameras in Pgh? (moved, running)

[Squeamish]

If and when red light cameras are installed, if the light turns yellow as you approach, be sure to slam on your brakes so you stop prior to entering the intersection. You may get rear-ended, but at least you won't get the ticket from the camera.

It's all about the municipality making money. Red light cameras are known to increase accidents. Council Bluffs, IA reduced their yellow cycle when they installed red light cameras, so they could generate more revenue. I doubt they want you to know how much their accident rate went up on that street...

[FreightTrainRunning]

Actually a US Transportation Administration study shows that accident rates stay about the same after red light cameras are installed but the nature of the crashes changes. Basically, they greatly reduce the number of broadside accidents but increase the number of rear-end accidents. I can't tell from the summary of the study how long the period of data collection was, I would think that the number of rear ending incidents would go down once people got it through their heads that the car in front of them was likely to stop at the red light.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by GeneW

Actually a US Transportation Administration study shows that accident rates stay about the same after red light cameras are installed but the nature of the crashes changes. Basically, they greatly reduce the number of broadside accidents but increase the number of rear-end accidents. I can't tell from the summary of the study how long the period of data collection was, I would think that the number of rear ending incidents would go down once people got it through their heads that the car in front of them was likely to stop at the red light.

This is what I remember as well. The thing is, I don't think the rear ending incidents will go down that much over time because ultimately only so many people are aware of the yellow timing and the presence of cameras. Short of a mechanical problem there is really no excuse for a rear ending accident on the part of the offender, so the people committing those were just getting a reprieve because of the number of people pushing the light, and the change makes it harder for them to avoid the stupid accident.

I agree with the PAT bus sentiment but doubt they will be made to pay. Probably the schedule is more important than not pushing the lights.

[Pghuser]

Originally Posted by Scott2187

Hopefully they'll also nab the PAT buses that constantly feel they are entitled to go through redlights.

Have you ever seen a PAT bus pulled over for any of the hundreds of infractions they they commit? I haven't. I turn them in on their webpage.

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by Pghuser

Have you ever seen a PAT bus pulled over for any of the hundreds of infractions they they commit? I haven't. I turn them in on their webpage.

I can vouch for this, as a regular Pittsburgh cyclist the one type of vehicle I feel most unsafe encroaching upon me from behind is a PAT BUS. I am truly amazed at the reckless abandon some of their drivers handle those things. Much like with cyclists, they're not all bad/unsafe/careless, I've been happy to know some really good, polite, and safe drivers personally, but it's the rotten eggs that "set the table of thought" regarding their buses as a whole. And really that's just the sad state of things...

[Garvdog]

Originally Posted by Squeamish

If and when red light cameras are installed, if the light turns yellow as you approach, be sure to slam on your brakes so you stop prior to entering the intersection. You may get rear-ended, but at least you won't get the ticket from the camera.

It's all about the municipality making money. Red light cameras are known to increase accidents. Council Bluffs, IA reduced their yellow cycle when they installed red light cameras, so they could generate more revenue. I doubt they want you to know how much their accident rate went up on that street...

Bingo. It's not about safety or decreasing accidents. It's about revenue. Think about it- no actual cop to pay, impossible to fight in court, more tickets per day- its a cash-strapped city's dream. I wish this was illegal on a federal level- it's pure extorion. Hopefully someday someone will produce some evidence that the devices are miscalibrated, people are wrongfully being issued tickets automatically, etc. but I doubt it.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I would think that the number of rear ending incidents would go down once people got it through their heads that the car in front of them was likely to stop at the red light.

It doesn't say much for people's driving skills when a driver wouldn't assume that a car is going to stop at a stop light.

[mjost7]

The cameras you see attached to signal poles around Pittsburgh are typically just video detection for the signal. Here is an explanation

[FreightTrainRunning]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

It doesn't say much for people's driving skills when a driver wouldn't assume that a car is going to stop at a stop light.

How many times have you gone through a yellow light at what you thought was the very last second, looked in your rear-view and seen one or two cars right behind you?

[szug-bot]

i think people might confuse red light cameras with either security cameras (as others have stated), or emergency vehicle devices that will change a light from red to green in a transponder-equipped ambulance or fire truck needed to use the intersection.

also - this is a huge issue in a growing number of eastern cities. in pittsburgh, there WILL be notice - the news will report it (ad nauseum). there will be warning signs.

red light cameras do not 'cause' rear-end accidents - idiot drivers do.