Red Light Cameras May Not be Effective in Preventing Chicago Intersection Accidents

Chicago personal injury lawyers, the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois all agree that Chicago intersections can be dangerous.  In an attempt to reduce Chicago intersection accidents, Chicago has installed red light cameras at many intersections.  At the end of 2009, 189 Chicago intersections will have red light cameras.  That is significantly more red light cameras than other large cities in the United States.  Chicago officials reason that red light cameras will encourage motorists to drive more safely and avoid accidents.

However, is that claim true? Do red light cameras deter intersection accidents? The Chicago Tribune reports conflicting data.  According to the Tribune, the Illinois Department of Transportation reports that many intersections with red light cameras saw an increase in accidents in the year after the camera was installed. 47 Chicago intersections had red light cameras installed in 2006 or 2007. The state reports that only 18 of those intersections saw a significant drop in accidents in the year after the camera was installed.  20 of those intersections had a significant increase in accidents and nine intersections saw no significant change.

The city of Chicago, however, claims that the red light cameras have been successful in preventing accidents and disputes the state’s claims without explaining why its own data is so different from the state’s data.

What do you think about the red light cameras?  Do they influence how you drive?  Are they a good expenditure by the city or they a waste of money?  Please leave us a comment with your thoughts on this topic.

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