Controversial red light cameras installed throughout the county are proving effective in lessening Tampa Bay intersection crashes, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Traffic statistics released last week show that reported crashes at over a dozen Tampa intersections where the cameras are installed have dropped from 163 to 111 in the past year.
Even so, the controversy over red light cameras still looms throughout the Tampa Bay area. Critics of the cameras cite a number of reasons why they're ineffective. Some state they're a government intrusion into private citizens lives while others are concerned because they ticket the car's owner, not the driver. Others are concerned that the cameras actually cause crashes when drivers slam on their brakes to prevent running the light.
According to Tampa Police, only one deadly accident occurred at a red light camera intersection in the past year.
The number of traffic violations issued at these specific intersections has also dropped in the past year. According to the Tribune, police issued 8,174 violations for these intersections back in November of 2011 when the cameras were installed. In November 2012, only 4,729 violations were issued.
At $158 a violation, motorists seem to be recognizing the pitfalls of running these red lights. For each violation issued, the city gets $75 with $10 going to the camera vendor.
Tampa is no exception in comparison to the rest of the state either. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there has been a 56 percent total reduction in crashes at red light intersections throughout the state.
