RED LIGHT CAMERAS: Possibly the WORST "Traffic Engineering" Idea, Ever.

Red Light Cameras, actually INCREASING accidents. FACT.

David Goldstein of Los Angeles television station KCAL:
​
When we asked, the LAPD became very defensive. The sergeant in charge told me in an e-mail, “The city would hope that it is the goal of KCBS/KCAL to discuss the positive aspects of the photo red light program.” So we filed a public records request. The department charged us more than $500 for a computer run. When we got the numbers back, they told a different story.  We looked at every accident at every red light camera intersection for six months of data before the cameras were installed and six months after.
The final figures? Twenty of the 32 intersections show accidents up after the cameras were installed! Three remained the same and only nine intersections showed accidents decreasing.

story source: https:/www.motorists.org/issues/red-light-cameras/increase-accidents/

​I myself, as a Traffic Engineer, and being an advocate of SAFETY FIRST always, side with their removal. 

I also having personal stake in the game, having direct experience with dangerous and erratic drivers at red light camera installations, who carry out bad driving behavior especially at red light camera intersections, where they try to avoid a ticket once the light is no longer green. SLAM BRAKES!  

---

LOS F intersection in Fresno, CA, where vehicles in left turn lanes try to get through and the headway between vehicles is TYPICAL at 20-30 feet. Slamming brakes in the midst of these flows causes an accident! Photo source: PRISM Engineering

This happened to us, so I have some personal data on the matter and have witnessed up close and personal, where an accident with our personal vehicle many years back was directly related to an erratic driver in front of us slamming his brakes at 20 mph as cars, including ours, were uniformly making their way through a green light. Once yellow, this driver SLAMS his brakes, unexpectedly, even after he crosses the limit line.  No warning, just slam the brakes.  You can almost stop on a dime at 20 mph.  And the driver just a car length behind you has no chance to react in time.  The way our system works...? ...the person behind is always at fault. This is just wrong. Nobody has a 2 second headway as cars are clearing a left turn pocket. NOBODY has this. That would be equivalent to about 60 feet or 3 or 4 car lengths, to get a 2 second headway. You would get honked at it you did this, not many cars would clear the light.  So drivers who slam brakes in such situations are actually the irresponsible driver.  I think we all know this.

---

The Right Turn Red Light Camera Fiasco

And then there is the driver making a right turn, pulling just past the stop line to get into position to make the right turn, and then stopping, waiting for traffic, but the camera doesn't process this, the camera makes a decision to snap a photo and call that "running a red light" as if it compares to a driver in a through lane actually doing that, posing great danger!  The right turn is interesting. You can make a right turn on red in most situations. You have to get your car over the line to make that move, to find the gap in traffic. It is not running a red light, and there is no crime for crossing the limit line to do that, in fact, you must cross a limit line. But the letter of the law.  This is a pet peeve of mine, that law enforcement would actually enforce such minor minor "infractions" of stopping, given the so-called California stop, the common sense stop, which doesn't annoy drivers behind them, which is not only common, but safe.  When enforced, its just wrong.  Enforcing this is in the same category as the red light camera, causing more harm than good.  Especially when compared to someone who blasts through a stop sign or signal posing great danger to cross traffic.  Get the real criminals here, and stop trying to collect money from good drivers.  A driver can actually make the determination if it is safe enough, if there is adequate vision of the situation.  We can use common sense.  But there are also some law enforcement officers, and cameras, who think otherwise, and they enforce the letter of the law, which would convict 99% of all drivers who might be at that wrong place at the wrong time. Gotcha!

Car making right turn. Photo source: PRISM Engineering, Hollywood, CA

---

Today, the Governor of Texas did the right thing, and BANNED them from their state.

Actually, Governor, this was too long in coming. I have been against these red light camera installations, instinctively knowing that they were more dangerous than good, more unfair than just, and just a bad idea of how local cities can make more money by partnering with some tech company who wrote a bad app, bad software designed to nab people without people fair to people, without involving a human that could make some judgment calls. It was always a bad idea. And I also know that not all Traffic Engineers share my view, in fact, I have debated many of these over the years. Turns out that they were wrong after all.  I am glad to see the menace of technology catching humans making mistakes, and not allowing for some humanity, get reduced... even while some countries are upping their ante by installing more and more cameras all over their countries, to nab humans making mistakes.  It's not a good trend elsewhere.  But I applaud the trend in the United States on this matter.

---

In California, some cities are still using these. MOST have been discontinued.  Program Status as of 2017. Links to active locations on list below.

One of the few remaining red light camera installations in California, in Bakersfield. Most all cities have yanked them out already. They have been on the whole, VERY UNFAIR to drivers. Source: Google Street View, 2019

CITY NAMERED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM STATUS
AlhambraRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
BakersfiledBakersfield Red Light Camera Intersection Locations
Baldwin ParkRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Bell GardensRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
BellRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
BellflowerRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
BelmontRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
BerkeleyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Beverly HillsBeverly Hills Red Light Camera Intersection Locations
Boyle HeightsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
BurlingameRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Canyon CountryRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
CapitolaCAPITOLA RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
CarmichaelRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
CarsonRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Cathedral CityCATHEDRAL CITY RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
Century CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
CerritosRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ChinoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Chula VistaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Citrus HeightsCITRUS HEIGHTS RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
City of CommerceCITY OF COMMERCE RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
City of IndustryRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ComptonRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ConcordRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
CoronaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Costa MesaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
CovinaCOVINA RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
Culver CityCULVER CITY RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
CupertinoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Daly CityDALY CITY RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
DavisRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Del MarDEL MAR RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
DowneyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
DublinRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Echo ParkRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
El CajonRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
El MonteRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
El SegundoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
El SobranteRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
El ToroRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Elk GroveELK GROVE RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
EmeryvilleRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
EncinitasENCINITAS RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
EscondidoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
FairfiledRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Foster CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
FremontFREMONT RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
FresnoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
FullertonRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Garden GroveGARDEN GROVE RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATION
GardenaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
GlendaleRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
GlendoraRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Grand TerraceRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Hacienda HeightsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
HawthorneHAWTHORNE RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
HaywardRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
HemetRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
HesperiaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
HighlandRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Hubtington BeachRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Hubtington ParkRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Indian WellsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
IndioRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
InglewoodRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Kearny MesaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
La JollaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Laguna HillsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Laguna WoodsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Lake ForestRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Lake MercedRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
LA MTALA MTA Red Light Camera Intersection
LancasterRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Linda VistaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Loma LindaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Long BeachRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Los AlamitosLOS ALAMITOS RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
Los AltosRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Los AlgelesRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Los OsosRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
LynwoodLYNWOOD RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
MantecaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Mar VistaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
MarysvilleRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Menlo ParkMENLO PARK RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
MillbraeMILLBRAE RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
MilpitasRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Mira MesaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Mission ValleyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Mission ViejoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ModestoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
MontclairRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
MontebelloMONTEBELLO RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS

CITY NAMERED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM STATUS
Monterey ParkRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
MoonclairRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Moreno ValleyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Morgan HillRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
MurrietaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
NapaNAPA RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
National CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
NewhallRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
NewarkNEWARK RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
North HighlandsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
North HollywoodRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
NorthridgeRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
OaklandRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
OceansideRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Orange CountyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Orange CountyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
OxnardOXNARD RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTIONS
Palm DesertRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Oanorama CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ParamountRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
PasadenaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Pico UnionRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
PlacentiaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Playa Del ReyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
PomonaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Porter RanchRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
PowayRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Ranco CordovaRANCHO CORDOVA RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
Rancho CucamongaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ReddingREDDING RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
RedlandsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Redwood CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ResedaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
RialtoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
RiversideRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
RocklinRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
RosevilleRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Rowland HeightsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
SacramentoSACRAMENTO RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
San BernardinoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San BrunoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San CarlosRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San ClementeRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San DiegoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San FranciscoSAN FRANCISCO RED LIGHT CAMERA INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
San JoseRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San Juan CapistranoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San LeandroSAN LEANDRO RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
San MateoSAN MATEO RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
San RaphaelRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
San RamonRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Santa AnaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Santa ClaritaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Santa CruzRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Santa MariaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Santa RosaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Solano BeachSOLANO BEACH RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
South GateRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
South San FranciscoRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
StocktonRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Suisun CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
SunnyvaleRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
TemeculaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Thousand OaksRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
TierrasantaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
TorrenceRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
TracyRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Union CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
University HeightsRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
UplandRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
ValenciaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
VenturaVENTURA RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET INTERSECTION LOCATIONS
Vero BeachRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
VictorvilleRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
VistaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
WalnutRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
West CovinaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
West HollywoodWest Hollywood Red Light Camera Intersection Locations
WestchesterRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
WestwoodRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
WhittierRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
WilmingtonRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
Yuba CityRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED
YucaipaRED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM DISCONTINUED