Driving Psychology 409a December 1, 2006

Red-Light Cameras

By Rhiannon Tokita

Instructions for this activity are found at: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/g25-oral1.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

Citation: Peter Rothe, editor (2002). Driving Lessons: Exploring Systems That Make Traffic Safer. (Edmonton: University Of Alberta Press). Reviewing pgs. 291-312

I. Red-Light Cameras

a. Definition- automated systems designed to photograph vehicles that are violating red traffic signals

b. Cameras record date, time and location

c. Are only activated while the traffic signal is red

d. Is activated when a vehicle crosses the red light a sets off a trigger

e. Designed to provide evidence of red-light offences

II. Red-Light Camera Justifications

a. Used to explain that running red lights is problematic and requires technology to enforce

b. The appeal to loyalties justifies that the red light cameras serve other drivers and public safety

III. Ethics

a. Two realities when red light cameras are installed

i. Interest from Insurance companies- want to be notified if their customers have excessive tickets

ii. Balance between individual and social good- many citizens say that safe intersections are more important than fears of government intrusion

b. Was the number one issue on red-light cameras in the media

c. Privacy

i. The most profound ethical feature concerning technopolicing

ii. Many residents were opposed to red-light cameras because of privacy concerns

1. Argued that red-light cameras can capture license plates but not the driver

iii. In New York, legal experts concluded that the red-light cameras does not violate a right to privacy

IV. Red-light Running

a. After a 14 month trial period of red-light cameras, occurrence of red-light running of a single intersection declined

b. Reasons for reduction in red light offenses

i. Installation of the technology

ii. Public-awareness of the dangers of red-light violations

V. Characteristics of Red-light Violators

a. Do not represent a common definition

b. Some drivers enter inadvertently into an intersection after it has turned red

c. Some drivers intentionally run the red light

d. Researchers say that the traffic safety practitioners should pay attention to the drivers who deliberately run the red light

e. Characteristics

i. Red-light runners more likely to be younger than 30 years of age and male

ii. More likely to have a fatal injury at an intersection crash

iii. Are more likely to have suspended or revoked driver’s licenses

Related Links:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/red-light-camera.htm

This website explains what red-light cameras are and how they work. It gives details on how the photos are captured and where they are located in the intersection. They also give statistics on drivers who run red lights.

http://www.highwayrobbery.net/

This website gives information about red-light tickets issued in California. It tells you what to look for on the ticket and gives you instances in which you can fight the ticket. It lists 10 defects which lists many ways to get around the ticket and has important information you should know about the pictures that are taken of you.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301844.html

This article talks about statistics that were taken in Washington D.C after a period of red-light cameras were placed. According to an analysis done by the Washington post, statistics showed that since the addition of the red light cameras, the number of accidents at intersections had increased instead of decreased. This is contrary to the statistics that were given in the book.

My Homepage: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409af2006/tokita/tokita-home.htm

Class Homepage: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm