Red light camera programs were implemented in communities around the United States to address safety issues, most notably pedestrian or motorist fatalities at busy intersections. These programs are widely frowned upon by communities and seen by many as a money-making scheme rather than a concern for public safety by municipalities and townships. In the last few years many communities have begun to discontinue their red light camera programs because of legal challenges or community protests.
Denton, Plano, and Dallas Red Light Camera Programs
Closer to home, the cities of Denton, Plano, and Dallas each have their own red light camera programs. For the most part, certain intersections are equipped with cameras and red light compliance is photo enforced. This means that if a motorist is crossing an intersection after the light has changed to red, a photo is taken, and the motorist receives a ticket in the mail. A fine is associated with the ticket. No points attach to the motorist’s driver’s license but if the motorist fails to pay the ticket his or her vehicle registration may be affected.
Richardson, Texas is another community with a red light camera program. In late July a Dallas judge declared that the Richardson red light camera program violated Texas law because the ordinance conflicted with the due process rights contained in the Texas state constitution. In the Richardson case, there was no way to contest the ticket and the city had failed to conduct a traffic study prior to implementing their red light camera program as required by state law.
Turning off Red Light Cameras Causes Fatal Car Crashes
The Insurance Institutes for Highway Safety (IIHS), a group funded by auto insurers, conducted a study regarding traffic fatalities after the red light camera programs have been discontinued and found an increase of up to a third of fatalities following car crashes at former red light camera intersections.
IIHS Studies have found that motorists who run red lights tend to cause predominantly two types of car crashes. The first is a T-bone crash, where the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another vehicle. This type of accident is the most deadly or likely to cause serious injury. The other type of red light car crash is a rear end crash. As a motorist increases speed to beat the red light, he or she slams into the back of a vehicle on the other side of the intersection. This type of accident tends to cause more property damage that injury to people.
Every DWI Case in Unique
Your liberty may be at stake if you have been pulled over for suspected drunk driving. Call the law offices of Kimberly Griffin Tucker at (214) 445-6336 or email our Plano, Texas office to schedule your free initial consultation. Serving individuals in Denton, Collins, and Dallas counties call us to schedule your consultation.