Red Light Cameras Save Lives

Traffic crashes are the single most significant cause of preventable death and injury in North America. In 2007 in the U.S., almost 900 people were killed and an estimated 153,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. Public costs exceed $14 billion per year, and more than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians. There is no doubt that red light runners are dangerous drivers who irresponsibly put others at risk. In America’s cities ― where too often the yellow light has come to symbolize “hurry up” instead of “slow down” ― red light running is the leading cause of all urban automobile crashes.

The American public recognizes the problem, is deeply concerned about red light running and supports the use of red light cameras. A nationwide survey sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and conducted by the Gallup Organization found that 75 percent of drivers favored the use of red light cameras. Most Americans (96 percent) are afraid of being hit by a red light runner, but nearly one in five admit to running a red light in the last ten intersections. The leading excuse given for red light running was neither frustration nor road rage; it was “being in a hurry.”

Yet, here in Tennessee it appears that a number of citizens see red light cameras as a “Big Brother ” ploy to take away their rights and a vocal minority of ignorant people are lobbying for laws that prohibit them. How stupid is that? This is a proven technology that saves lives and millions of dollars in insurance claims and some paranoid fools who have nothing better to do, usually citizens who have received tickets for running red lights,  are pressuring spineless self-centered politicians to enact laws that prohibit them. Shame on us.

Check out my web site at www.seriousinjury.com for more information about this subject.

Red Light Runners Kill

Sometimes it’s so simple to avoid an automobile accident. As an experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyer I see it time after time, one simple error, one second of distraction and people die.

Traffic Signals are used to control vehicle drivers and pedestrians at some intersections and crosswalks. Signals promote better movement of traffic on busy roads by assigning right of way. Traffic Signals are usually placed at heavily traveled intersections. These lights tell you when or where to stop and go. A green light means you can go if it is safe. A yellow light means caution, prepare to stop for the red light. The red light always means stop. Standard traffic lights are red, yellow and green, from top to bottom respectively.

When the red light is flashing you must come to a complete stop the same as if you were at a stop sign. Before you proceed, look both ways, yield to traffic and pedestrians and proceed when it is safe to do so. Unfortunately for four Nashvillians, the driver of a small Toyota simply ignored a blinking red light and crashed into a vehicle carrying three people. There were no fatalities but all four people involved in the accident are hospitalized.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville Automobile accident caused by a red light runner contact the experienced Nashville auto accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Intersection Cameras Save Lives

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I have given a great deal of study and thought to the issues of  enforcing intersection speeding and red light issues using digital technology. The Constitutional arguments used by the opponents of red light cameras are specious at best. Red light running and speeding are real problems that jeopardize the safety and lives of Americans on a daily basis. Photo enforcement, a proven method of increasing road and intersection safety, is one of the solutions to the dangers of speeding red light running. This technology has already yielded undeniable proof of its effectiveness in saving lives. Consider the following red light camera and speed camera success stories:

* New Orleans, LA — red light cameras led to an 85% drop in red light running and speed cameras led to an 84% drop in speeding.

* Montgomery County, MD ― relative to comparison sites drivers traveling more than 10 mph above posted speed limits declined by about 70% at locations with both warning signs and speed camera enforcement.

* Council Bluffs, IA ― a 90% reduction in red light running crashes.

* Washington, DC ― red light running fatalities were reduced from 16 to 2 in the first two years of red light cameras.

* Fairfax, VA ― a 44% reduction in red light running crashes.

* Oxnard, CA ― a 22% reduction in red light crashes citywide.

* New York City ― a 34% reduction in red light violations.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a red light runner or a speeder contact the experienced Nashville car crash attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Red light running and speeding are real problems that jeopardize the safety and lives of Americans on a daily basis. Photo enforcement, a proven method of increasing road and intersection safety, is one of the solutions to the dangers of speeding red light running. This technology has already yielded undeniable proof of its effectiveness in saving lives. Consider the following red light camera and speed camera success stories:

* New Orleans, LA — red light cameras led to an 85% drop in red light running and speed cameras led to an 84% drop in speeding.

* Montgomery County, MD ― relative to comparison sites drivers traveling more than 10 mph above posted speed limits declined by about 70% at locations with both warning signs and speed camera enforcement.

* Council Bluffs, IA ― a 90% reduction in red light running crashes.

* Washington, DC ― red light running fatalities were reduced from 16 to 2 in the first two years of red light cameras.

* Fairfax, VA ― a 44% reduction in red light running crashes.

* Oxnard, CA ― a 22% reduction in red light crashes citywide.

* New York City ― a 34% reduction in red light violations.

Red Light Camera Enforcement

Two new studies have once again demonstrated the deterrent value of using automated enforcement cameras to reduce red light running. A new review of traffic data from the City of Philadelphia conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has shown that the introduction of red light cameras after lengthening the yellow-light phase has virtually eliminated red light running violations at two problem intersections.

Researchers tracked signal violation rates at intersections before and after extending the yellow light sequence and again after red light camera enforcement had been in effect for about a year. The first step reduced signal violations by 36 percent. The cameras reduced the remaining violations by 96 percent . At the same time, violations were virtually unchanged at two control group intersections.

Another red light running study was conducted by researchers from Old Dominion University in Virginia. A team of researchers reviewing data collected both before, during and after the City of Virginia Beach’s six-month deployment of red light technology before Virginia’s red light camera authorizing law was allowed the sunset. The results showed that red light running violations more than tripled in just the first year after the law expired. Red light running at the several intersections that had previously been equipped with red light cameras is now worse than it was before they were installed.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile intersection accident caused by a red light runner you owe it to yourself to contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Red Light Runners Kill

Traffic crashes are the single most significant cause of preventable death and injury in North America. In 2007 in the U.S., almost 900 people were killed and an estimated 153,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. Public costs exceed $14 billion per year, and more than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians. There is no doubt that red light runners are dangerous drivers who irresponsibly put others at risk. In America’s cities ― where too often the yellow light has come to symbolize “hurry up” instead of “slow down”, red light running is the leading cause of all urban automobile crashes.

The American public recognizes the problem, is deeply concerned about red light running and supports the use of red light cameras. A 2002 nationwide survey sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and conducted by the Gallup Organization found that 75 percent of drivers favored the use of red light cameras. Most Americans (96 percent) are afraid of being hit by a red light runner, but nearly one in five admit to running a red light in the last ten intersections. The leading excuse given for red light running was neither frustration nor road rage; it was “being in a hurry.”

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile intersection accident caused by a red light runner you owe it to yourself to contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Red Light Runners Kill

As an experienced Tennessee Automobile accident lawyer I am daily witness to the heroic work that our law enforcement officers and our first responders carry out on a daily basis. In all sorts of weather and at all hours of the day or night, the men and women of Tennessee law enforcement put it all on the line.

It saddens me to report that Springhill Police Corporal Jeremy McLaren died yesterday of injuries he received when a Shelbyville man ran a red light and T-boned Office McLaren’s police car. At first report it looked like Corporal McLaren was going to recover. Media reports had him out of surgery and getting around and there is no news on what caused his downfall. My prayers go out to his Wife and Parents and the community of Springhill for the loss of a husband, son and public servant.

Each year crashes involving red light running claim the lives of more than 800 people and injure another 200,000 people. More than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians, so there should be no debate about the fact that red light runners are dangerous drivers who put other road users at risk.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to find out about your rights and remedies

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I can’t tell you how many accidents I’ve handled because someone chose to run a red light. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association red light running crashes are responsible for approximately 260,000 injuries and 750 fatalities annually. It is difficult to get a clear picture of the problem, because red light running may not be identified or categorized as such on crash report forms. While education and engineering solutions are certainly important in combating red light running, automated enforcement has been receiving greater attention as an effective tool.

Several programs and resources exist to address the problem of red light running. GHSA encourages its members to support these efforts: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has a Stop Red Light Running program that provides traffic safety information and guidelines to address red light running. In 2005, the FHWA issued Red Light Camera Systems Operational Guidelines. Not regulatory requirements, these guidelines are intended to foster discussions and initiatives that will improve intersection safety. The use of speed and red light cameras to detect vehicles committing traffic violations is referred to collectively as automated enforcement. Automated enforcement works by using a camera to capture on image of a vehicle committing a violation. Additional data collected often includes the date, time and place, speed or other pertinent details. If a violation is evident, a citation is mailed to the vehicle owner.

My experience as a Tennessee car accident attorney tells me that getting drivers to change bad driving behavior requires consistent enforcement, which automated camera systems provide. 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.

If you or a loved one is hurt in an accident caused by someone running a red light contact our experienced Tennessee accident attorneys

Red Light Runners Kill

and find out about your rights and remedies.