No Offence Intended

[pete376403]

Ngauranga gorge's speed camera has been the biggest earner, last year they made $2.4 million from that one camera location alone. I'd be keen to know if it's the downhill side that makes the most.

6 lane, divided highway - probably the safest bit of road around.

[Scuba_Steve]

Ngauranga gorge's speed camera has been the biggest earner, last year they made $2.4 million from that one camera location alone. I'd be keen to know if it's the downhill side that makes the most.
Speed is an easy target for police but car safety improvements have probably done more for reducing the road toll than a speed camera ever did. I would like to see more red light cameras though, red light runners are a deadly danger to anyone on 2 wheels.

careful what you wish for, red light cameras have been shown to increase accident rates at lights
(to be more exact: small decrease in serious, moderate increase in minor, small to moderate increase in overall accidents)

[rastuscat]

careful what you wish for, red light cameras have been shown to increase accident rates at lights

Reference?

[Scuba_Steve]

Reference?

There's alot out there, think my comment came from the Winnipeg one; but here's a small list of studies & media investigations showing increases anyways.
(no links unfortunately you'll have to do your own Googley if you want to see the full thing; I have alot of these as PDF's on my PC so don't have the site links)
Course RLC's, their increase in accidents or not, none of that addresses the root cause of the problem in the 1st place which is the sever overuse of lights & the retardation of the roading network (speed, but I guess also people)


Virginia Accidents Increased After Ticket Camera Installation
The Virginia Transportation Research Council released a report expanding upon earlier research into the safety effects of red light cameras in Virginia. It showed an overall increase in crashes after cameras were installed.

A Long Term Study of Red-Light Cameras and Accidents
The conclusion of this Australian study was that RLCs are not an effective countermeasure and that they can increase the number of rear end crashes.

Los Angeles Red Light Cameras Lead To Increased Accidents
A local TV station fact-checked the city’s claims that their ticket cameras reduced accidents and found that the opposite was true. At 20 of the 32 intersections studied, accidents increased and several intersections tripled their accident rate.

Red Light Running Cameras: Would Crashes, Injuries and Automobile Insurance Rates Increase If They Are Used in Florida?
A report published in Florida Public Health Review journal found that red light cameras increased accidents and insurance industry profit.

A Detailed Investigation Of Crash Risk Reduction Resulting From Red-Light Cameras In Small Urban Areas
A study prepared by the North Carolina A&T State University found that red-light cameras increased the number of accidents at intersections.

Evaluation of the Red-Light-Camera-Enforcement Pilot Project
This report from Ontario, Canada’s Ministry of Transportation’s concluded that jurisdictions using photo enforcement experienced an overall increase in property damage and fatal and injury rear-end collisions.

Virginia DOT Study on Red-Light Cameras
The Virginia Department of Transportation released a biased report in favor of the cameras that still documented an increase in accidents, including more rear-end collisions and injuries.

Photo Enforcement Program Review Final Report 2006 - Winnipeg audit

Los Angeles | KCAL TV
A local TV station fact-checked the city’s claims that their ticket cameras reduced accidents and found that the opposite was true. At 20 of the 32 intersections studied, accidents increased and several intersections tripled their accident rate.

Washington, D.C. | Washington Post
This report showed an overall increase in accidents at red-light camera intersections of 107 percent.

Portland, Oregon | KATU News
KATU News reviewed city statistics and found a 140 percent increase in rear-end crashes at the intersections where red light cameras were installed.

Fort Collins, Colorado | The Coloradoan
Ft. Collins, Colorado has experienced an 83 percent increase in the number of accidents since red light cameras were installed.

Oceanside, California | North County Times
This report showed a 800 percent increase in rear-end accidents.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Philadelphia Weekly
This article showed an increase of 10 to 21 percent in accidents in intersections with red-light cameras.

Corpus Christi, Texas | TheNewspaper.com
Data released by the city showed that the total number of accidents in Corpus Christi increased 14 percent, from 310 incidents to 353, at nine locations where automated ticketing machines were stationed. Contrary to the claim that red light cameras reduce the severity of collisions, the number of accidents involving injuries increased 28 percent from 140 to 179. Rear end collisions also increased by nearly a third from 160 to 208.

Winnipeg, Ontario | Winnipeg Sun
The average number of collisions at Winnipeg’s 12 original red-light camera intersections has jumped 18% since the devices were installed in 2003, according to Manitoba Public Insurance data obtained by the Winnipeg Sun. Despite claims by politicians and police brass that intersection cameras are making our streets safer by reducing collisions, the MPI data shows after six years of use, crashes at the intersections are actually going up, not down.

Impact of Red-Light Camera Enforcement on Crash Experience — A Synthesis of Highway Practice
A recent study by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) illustrates the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of red-light cameras.

U.S. PIRG Red Light Camera Report – Caution: Red Light Cameras Ahead
According to a this study by the national public interest advocacy group, U.S. PRIG, local governments hungry for revenue are signing contracts with red-light camera companies that put profit over traffic safety.

Camera Enforcement vs. Best Engineering Practices – The Clash of Diametrically Opposed Forces!

Red-Light-Running Behaviour at Red-Light Camera and Control Intersections
Monash University study showing red-light cameras have no effect on reducing violations.

[Scuba_Steve]

Nope wasn't the Winnipeg one (talking about the "small decrease in serious, moderate increase in minor, small to moderate increase in overall accidents" comment), apparently they had this to say

the number of collisions increased 58 percent after cameras were introduced at the twelve intersections selected by Winnipeg.
These extra accidents were not minor ones. Injuries increased 64 percent and property damage claims between 60 and 113 percent, with the largest claims increasing the most.
These effects were specific to the camera intersections, as the number of accidents citywide increased only 7 percent during the same period

[SaferRides]

Why am I not surprised.

Even when the research is available, it's just ignored. The Key government finally bowed to media pressure and reduced the blood alcohol level, despite an ACC study showing it would make little difference.

I can't wait for the new "evidence based" road safety measures that Julie Ann Genter has said will be introduced.

[Berries]

careful what you wish for, red light cameras have been shown to increase accident rates at lights
(to be more exact: small decrease in serious, moderate increase in minor, small to moderate increase in overall accidents)

Reducing the crash rate is not the main concern for NZTA. They want to reduce the rate of death and serious injuries so if there are less people killed or seriously hurt but more minor or non injury crashes that is a win for them.

It is expected that there will be an increase in rear end crashes as people who might push it after the green goes off will stop harder and get hit from behind. Better this than being t-boned in the drivers door at 50km/h, that shit hurts.

Based on my own research into Dunedin's red light running crashes I have found that a camera is not going to be all that effective because it is rare for someone to blatantly and purposefully run a red light, it happens because they fail to see the red light, or the signals, or the intersection itself. That will happen just as often and those tend to be the higher severity crashes.

[R650R]

[quoteberries]
Based on my own research into Dunedin's red light running crashes I have found that a camera is not going to be all that effective because it is rare for someone to blatantly and purposefully run a red light, it happens because they fail to see the red light, or the signals, or the intersection itself. That will happen just as often and those tend to be the higher severity crashes.[/QUOTE]

And how large was your sample group? How did you get honest answers/data?
Because who is going to admit they thought " fuck it, I'm running late I can make the gap" and then got caught out by someone quick on the gas off the green. There going to say I'm sure it was green still, I just didn't see it, distracted by kid I thought might step out etc.....

[pritch]

Maybe I wasn't paying attention but I got the impression from the TV item I saw that the current technology for road side drug testing is not that great. That isn't hard to believe. The equipment US law enforcement use to identify drugs from other organic material rates a joke status. Which is funny, unless of course it was your tea leaves that were identified as canabis. And yes that actually happened.

[roogazza]

Maybe I wasn't paying attention but I got the impression from the TV item I saw that the current technology for road side drug testing is not that great. That isn't hard to believe. The equipment US law enforcement use to identify drugs from other organic material rates a joke status. Which is funny, unless of course it was your tea leaves that were identified as canabis. And yes that actually happened.

It was Oregano officer, honest it was !

[Cosmik de Bris]

It was Oregano officer, honest it was !

Many years ago our flat was raided and the police found a bag of suspicious white powder, I told them it was Sodium Bicarbonate and that the quantity I had would have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, I even tasted it for them and offered it to them to taste, but no it had to be taken away and analysed. It was Sodium Bicarbonate.

Cheers

[F5 Dave]

Can you imagine the amount of times a cop is bareface lied to every day? I imagine it would destroy your faith in trusting what anyone said. Especially as you would spend a fair amount of you time in the company of the less pleasant people of the community.

[Madness]

I imagine it would destroy your faith in trusting what anyone said. Especially as you would spend a fair amount of you time in the company of the less pleasant people of the community.

Just like being on KB.

[Berries]

And how large was your sample group? How did you get honest answers/data?
Because who is going to admit they thought " fuck it, I'm running late I can make the gap" and then got caught out by someone quick on the gas off the green. There going to say I'm sure it was green still, I just didn't see it, distracted by kid I thought might step out etc.....

Agree a bit but you would be surprised how many people actually do fess up.

I just looked at all crashes where a vehicle reportedly ran a red light and then looked at both driver statements. Taking what was said with a pinch of salt it is not that hard to determine whether it was someone trying to make the gap when the light changed to red or someone who sailed through a solid red based on what other traffic was doing at the time.

You don’t tend to get T-bone crashes caused by trying to make the gap at the end of the phase due to the all red period, no matter how fast you get on the gas. These crashes will be when someone facing you on the same signal assumes you will stop because the light has gone red and they turn across your path.

There are a few complete idiots out there but generally people don’t have a death wish so seeing someone just keep going and purposefully run a red light at speed in the middle of the phase when other traffic is around is very rare. Take out those being pursued by Police and I doubt you would find many at all, at least down here.

[FJRider]

I just looked at all crashes where a vehicle reportedly ran a red light and then looked at both driver statements. Taking what was said with a pinch of salt it is not that hard to determine whether it was someone trying to make the gap when the light changed to red or someone who sailed through a solid red based on what other traffic was doing at the time.

You don’t tend to get T-bone crashes caused by trying to make the gap at the end of the phase due to the all red period, no matter how fast you get on the gas. These crashes will be when someone facing you on the same signal assumes you will stop because the light has gone red and they turn across your path.

I haven't found traffic lights anywhere that will go to green ... the very instant the other set of lights go red . In my experience ... I've had more issues with those taking off before the green light is on ... rather than red light runners. Some seem to have a few seconds delay.