Despite the enormous amount of controversy concerning the use of red-light-running cameras, the bottom line is with proper implementation, this technology shows promise in reducing fatality rates and increasing public safety. Red-light-running camera enforcement is a relatively new technology. The cameras were implemented for use in the United States in the 1990s. The technology is available to help reduce a substantial problem that causes injuries and fatalities after a person enters a signalized intersection when displayed a red light in their traveled direction. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has defined the term "red-light-running" in Issue Brief 6 as "the act of entering, and proceeding through, a signalized intersection after the traffic signal has turned red." (Federal Highway Administration [FHWA], 2009 (6), p1) While the FHWA is a proponent of this technology, controversy has been driven by claims from opponents who cite privacy issues, maintenance concerns, and claims that the intervals for yellow/amber signals have been shortened for the sole purpose of generating funds for the states and municipalities that use the technology. Looking back at the history of the traffic signals, authorities that control them and some recent studies may allow for a better understanding of the cameras and their use today. With the introduction of the automobile, traffic safety quickly became a public safety issue. The growing popularity of this mobile transportation sparked a wave of new inventions to control traffic flow in a safe manner. The first application of traffic control was actually a police officer standing at the intersection to prevent collisions by directing traffic as it approached from different directi... ... middle of paper ... ...tting. I have also lost many co-workers on the job, as automobiles have struck and killed them. I feel that I am very fortunate, as I also am a victim injured by a vehicle at a signalized intersection seven years ago. I walked away with some injuries that took two years to recover with surgery to my shoulder. I now have seven anchors drilled into my shoulder, which allows me to continue to work today. In conclusion, with the careful implementation of these cameras coupled with engineering measures, injuries and fatalities can be reduced at signalized intersections. Technology is expanding at a rapid pace and some of it will benefit the traffic signal industry. New inventions are already being talked about in the media. Soon we may see the human factor eliminated as autonomous cars take the roads in pursuit of an accident free world.
Are Red Light Cameras the Answer? The automobile’s invention revolutionized the American transportation system. It allowed people to move themselves and cargo from city-to-city and state-to-state in a much faster and efficient manner. Its numbers increased as it gained popularity and became affordable. This led to the development of road networks both within and between cities. Problems arose in the areas where roads intersected each other; accidents occurred at these intersections due to the