Intersection cameras prevent crashes, Calgary study suggests

Cameras mounted at Calgary intersections have made driving safer in high-risk areas, suggests an independent study of six years of traffic data.

Since the cameras were introduced in 2001, right-angle crashes have dropped by 48.2 per cent, including a reduction in injury and fatal collisions, according to a study by Synectics Transportation Consultants and released by the Calgary Police Service on Tuesday.

Rear-end collisions have also been cut by 39.6 per cent, the study found.

Police attribute that tothe cameras which focus on drivers running red lights and the accompanying awareness campaigns.

"Calgary drivers have adopted and accepted the red-light cameras as part of their driving day their commute, their daily commute," Sgt.Clive Marsh of the traffic section said Tuesday.

"They're seeing an intersection and they're realizing that if there's a crash, there could be an injury, there could bea death. And I think they're just driving more confidently ... and showing more awareness in safety aspects of driving."

The force pointed out that the number of right-angle collisions has also fallen by 8.6 per cent at intersections without cameras, and attributed that to an overall awareness campaign.

Intersection cameras reap 'societal savings'

There are currently 40 camerasrotating among 44 intersections in Calgary that have seen increases in collisions and traffic violation rates, according to police and city statistics.

Starting April 1, tickets will be issued to motorists who are caught speeding on the cameras, which have been upgraded to snap shots of people racing through the intersections.

The fine for running a red light is $287. Thepenalty for speeding varies from as little as $57 to whatever a judge deems appropriate for speeders going 50 km/h or more over the limit, according to the Alberta Motor Association.

Tickets issuedas a result ofred-light cameras in Calgarytook in $3.9 million in 2008 and $3.4 million in 2007, but police insist the program is not a cash grab.

"Revenue is a part of the program," said Marsh. "In order for automated enforcement to work, there has to be a revenue component.If there's not a fine, then there's no deterrent."

The study released Tuesday also concluded that for each dollar spent on the intersection camera program, Calgarians saw a "societal savings" of $11 an amount based on the reduction of collisions and the associated expenses in terms of medical costs, emergency services, property damage and lost productivity.