Texas study released shows red light cameras cut collisions by 30%

November 2008

New data from Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute shows that monitored intersections had an overall 30 percent decrease in collisions.

The state-mandated report released by the Texas Department of Transportation examined data from 56 intersections across the state, including many in Houston, from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007. The report states that the cameras could be changing driver behavior.

"While these results cannot conclusively determine that red light cameras are responsible for the overall reduction in crashes . . . the presence of the treatment provided some effect on the frequency of crashes at the selected intersections for the limited time period of this analysis," the report states.

The study examined crashes at select intersections from 12 cities that were required to report accidents under state law. The data show that right angle collisions were reduced by 43 percent.

Study Findings from Survey Interviews:
-99% of survey people acknowledge the dangers of running a red light
-56% of people admit to running them anyway

Empirical Data from Intersections:
-Overall accidents down -30%
-Right Angle accidents down -43%
-66% of the intersections saw a reduction in rear end accidents

For the study, please go to:
ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/final_report_rlc_1008.pdf