Georgia residents may live in a community that has red light cameras at certain intersections. The point of these, of course, is to catch anyone who runs a red light, thus acting as a deterrent against future traffic violations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that cameras can reduce violations by around 40%. Large cities with camera systems also see 21% fewer deaths from red-light running crashes than those large cities without them.
However, the number of communities with red-light cameras has been declining. In 2012, for example, there were 533 such communities. By the middle of 2018, it dropped to 421. Loss of public support is the main reason for this as many have caught on to the ways that cameras can be abused by the local government.
Critics consider that in 2014, Chicago had the largest red light camera system in the U.S. and, at the same time, made its yellow light duration the shortest allowable. This meant revenue from more traffic tickets, but it also meant many rear-end collisions as drivers would slam on their brakes to avoid detection from the camera.
Incidentally, between 2012 and 2018, the number of red-light running crash deaths went up 17%. The decline in cameras could be partly to blame; the growing number of cars on the road is another factor.
In the event that someone suffers auto accident injuries at the hands of a red-light runner, he or she may seek compensation for medical expenses, income lost during the physical recovery, pain and suffering, and other applicable losses. It may be wise to see a personal injury lawyer since plaintiffs who are 50% or more at fault for a crash cannot recover damages in this state. A lawyer may be able to evaluate the case, have third parties gather evidence, and then begin negotiations.
