Red-light cameras save lives, also raise concerns for the public

Every year, red-light running crashes take the lives of hundreds of people, the majority of them being pedestrians, bicyclists and occupants of vehicles other than the offender’s. Nevada residents should know that one proposed solution to the trend of red-light running is the installation of a system of red-light cameras.

The benefits are clear enough. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that cameras reduce the number of red-light running violations by 40% and, when comparing large cities with cameras to those without them, the number of red light-running crash fatalities by 21%.

Though there has been a decline in the number of red-light cameras, the simultaneous increase in red-light running crash deaths reveals the need for cameras. Specifically, from 2012 to mid-2018, the number of communities with red-light cameras went from 533 to 421. In that time, red light-running crash deaths rose 17%. Naturally, a lack of cameras is not the only factor; there are, for instance, more cars on the road now. Still, the data is intriguing.

Those who encourage the use of red-light cameras face the challenge of building public support. One reason is that the public often sees cameras as a way for the government to generate revenue. The IIHS has a checklist of suggestions that can help communities build support for cameras.

Cameras can certainly aid in the claims filed by victims of red light-running motorists. It may not be wise to go through the filing process alone, though. A lawyer may address all the complexities of filing a claim and handle the negotiation stage in particular. Third parties like crash investigators may come in to establish the defendant’s guilt. If negotiations do not produce a reasonable settlement covering medical expenses, lost wages and everything else that’s applicable, the victim may take the case to court.