Psychology 409a
December 5, 2005
My Sixth Outline of
Assigned Readings
By Mari Osakoda
By-products of Red light Cameras
Peter
Rothe, Editor (2002). Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic
Safer. (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press). Pages 303-315
Instructions for this activity are found at:
www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/409a-g23-oral.htm
Instructor: Dr. Leon James
·
Rear-end
collisions
o
A hypothesized
consequence of implementing red-light cameras is an increase in rear-end
collisions. The assumption is that as
people make more of an effort to not get red light tickets they end up
rear-ending the car in front of them.
o
It would be
reasonable to say that each area where a red light camera is installed is
different from the next. Results of one
study can be helpful in determining the effectiveness of red light cameras but
should not be the only variable being considered.
o
I choose this concept because I thought that
having red light cameras were a good thing.
It is important to consider the pros and cons of red light cameras
before making a decision about them.
·
Red-light Runners
o
There are two
kinds of people who run red lights, those who unintentionally go through the
intersection and those who do it on purpose.
Drivers cannot anticipate the red lights every time they go through an
intersection. The second kind driver does
not stop when they are within three seconds of the stop line when the light
turns yellow-these are the intentional red-light runners.
o
These intentional
red-light runners have a negative affective proficiency in driving. They do not respect authority and have no
self-control when it comes to driving.
These types of drivers can benefit from a driver personality makeover
plan where they can learn to control their impulses and become better
drivers.
o
This topic stood
out for me because I never took the time to think about what kind of person
runs a red light. I just assumed that
those people were impatient or that they didn’t do it on purpose.
·
Costs and
benefits
o
Red-light cameras
have been shown to increase revenue in some areas where they are placed. Police officers are free to monitor the
citizens and make more arrests related to violent crimes.
o
If the police are
free to focus on serious crimes instead of monitoring red lights the public
should feel safer. There would be less
violent crimes and the police force would feel more affective in the community.
o
I think that red
light cameras are a good idea, they would free up the local law enforcement and
they would have the time to focus their attention to violent crimes. The public would feel safer and the police
would be viewed in a more positive light.
My
Homepage: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2005/osakoda/home.htm
Class Home Page: www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy23/classhome-g23.htm
Related web links: http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/redlight_cameras/index.htm-
article on the effectiveness of red-light cameras
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301844.html-
Washington post article on the ineffectivness of red-light cameras
http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/05048/- Safety Evaluation of Red-Light Cameras by the Federal Highway Administration