Chicago Rear-End Accidents Blamed on Red Light Cameras
A rear-end accident lawyer knows red light cameras throughout Chicago, Hyde Park, Bridgeport, Edgewater, Lincoln Park and surrounding areas are supposed to reduce the risk of accidents occurring.
Unfortunately, a new study suggests these cameras may actually be increasing the risk of a crash – rear-end accidents specifically. This has significant consequences for motorists.
Red Light Cameras May be Increasing Crash Risks
Traffic cameras are designed to force drivers to stop at red lights by issuing automatic tickets if a motorist does not come to a stop. These cameras were marketed as a way to reduce the chances of a crash happening at intersections, although some argue they are actually more useful for raising revenue than for any other purpose.
Time reports a new study calls into question the effectiveness of these red light cameras. The cameras do appear to work to stop some T-bone or side impact crashes. In fact, there is around a 15 percent reduction in injuries from T-Bone crashes at intersections where red light cameras exist.
However, this reduction was overshadowed by a 22 percent increase in the number of rear-end accidents that cause injuries to happen. Essentially, the issue is drivers do not want to get tickets so they end up slamming on their brakes as they approach an intersection with a yellow light or a light that has just changed to red. The driver who is behind their vehicle does not stop in time to avoid hitting the back of the car.
Because the number of rear-end accidents has increased more than the number of T-bone crashes have decreased, the cameras had the overall impact of increasing injuries by around five percent.
Cameras face a growing backlash already and results like this are not likely to help those who argue that cameras are a good thing for road safety.
Even without red light cameras adding to the danger, many of the car crashes that happen within the United States occur when one driver strikes the back of another motorist’s vehicle. These rear-end collisions are the cause of approximately one-third of all delays on U.S. roads resulting from car crashes according to Penn State University. They also cause around 4.7 percent of fatalities and almost 30 percent of total car accidents.
Rear-end collisions can be deadly for people who are riding motorcycles. The Los Angeles Times attributes almost four percent of all deadly motorcycle accidents to rear-end accidents.
More research needs to be done in terms of whether these red light cameras are doing more harm than good. If further reports show the cameras to be dangerous, steps should be taken to remove them and no further cameras should be added.
A Chicago, IL accident attorney can help after an injury. Call Coplan & Crane at 800-394-6002Â to schedule your free consultation. Serving Chicago, Oak Park, Hyde Park, Bridgeport, Edgewater, Lincoln Park and surrounding areas.
