Chicagos Red-Light Cameras Prevent Few Accidents Study

CHICAGO -- A study of red-light cameras by The Chicago Tribune suggests what many vending route personnel already suspected: enforcement cameras provide few safety benefits. According to the paper, the cameras seem to be more effective in raising revenue than promoting driver safety.

The Tribune's findings indicate that while right angle or T-bone crash incidents were reduced by some 15%, collisions at some intersections actually rose following installation of the cameras. Rear-end crashes rose about 22%.

Not only do the findings contradict Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's enthusiasm for the cameras, they also call into question the use of the devices nationwide. Chicago currently boasts the nation's largest red-light camera program, employing some 350 of the devices at intersections across the city.

As a source of funds, however, the cameras and their $100 tickets proved highly effective. Since 2002, the Tribune reported, they were responsible for putting more than $500 million into the city coffers. That number does not include the 13,000 Windy City drivers who were mistakenly cited by the red-light camera program.