| The city of Palm Beach installs three new red-light | | | | more serious accidents from occurring by |
| cameras and accidents double; something does | | | | reducing the number of drivers who run red lights. |
| not quite add up. In the first 70 days of their | | | | A study conducted by the state of Virginia in |
| existence, the Palm Beach red-light cameras have | | | | 2007 seems to support both theories. The study |
| generated a third of a million dollars from 2,675 | | | | found that after red-light cameras were installed, |
| issued fines. While this revenue is good for the | | | | rear-end collisions increased 27%. However, |
| city, what is troubling is the accident statistics at | | | | "red-light running crashes" decreased 42% in the |
| the intersections where these cameras are | | | | same period. |
| installed. | | | | Which side of the red-light camera debate is |
| According to a report conducted by The Palm | | | | correct depends on whom you ask: a Palm Beach |
| Beach Post from February 21 to May 1 at the | | | | Auto Accident Attorney, the city, or even the |
| three intersections with red-light cameras: | | | | local AAA. Tampa AAA's vice president, Kevin |
| --Rear-end collisions increased to five from two. | | | | Bakewell, thinks money is the determining factor. |
| Rear-end accidents sometimes go up with | | | | "It's more about the money than it is traffic |
| cameras because anxious drivers are more likely | | | | safety," said Mr. Bakewell. In fact, there is a new |
| to stop abruptly. | | | | law taking effect July 1 that will increase the |
| --Overall accidents increased to seven from six. | | | | red-light camera fine from $125 to $158, with $70 |
| These statistics beg the question: Is that third of | | | | of each $100 going to the state of Florida; the |
| a million dollars in revenue worth the potential | | | | local government splits the rest with the camera |
| personal injury risk that these cameras may be | | | | vendors. |
| causing? | | | | While the city of Palm Beach says that not |
| The counterargument to the question posed | | | | enough time has passed to draw a proper |
| above is that red-light cameras are thought to | | | | conclusion on the effect and consequences of the |
| discourage illegal behavior, and may actually be | | | | red-light cameras. City spokesman Peter Robbins |
| preventing serious accidents from happening. As | | | | is quoted as saying: "A larger sample size is |
| stated by a Palm Beach Car Crash Lawyer: while | | | | needed to make any determinations about the |
| the red-light cameras may be causing more | | | | program's effect on accidents." The city however |
| rear-end collisions, they might also be preventing | | | | does not dispute the data gathered by The Post. |