Seattle has 30 read light cameras across the city and gives out 15,000 citations a year. But no one is sure if the cameras prevent car accidents and injuries.

Seattle’s Red Light Cameras, Car Accidents, And Pedestrian Accidents

How many red light cameras have been installed in Seattle intersections, and what are their main purposes? More importantly, do red light cameras prevent car accidents from happening or reduce the number of serious car accident injuries?

According to Seattle Police, there are 30 red light cameras throughout Seattle. They place the cameras at intersections using the following criteria:

• A history of serious vehicle accidents or pedestrian accidents at the intersections.
• A high rate of vehicles running red lights, especially to make left turns or to go straight.
• An absence of obstacles, such as trees, that would prevent a camera from being installed.
• Recommendations from the community regarding dangerous intersections.
• Whether or not there is another red light camera in the immediate area.

Do red light cameras work? Opinions vary. Although Seattle Police have found that installing a red light camera can reduce red light violations by about 50 percent, it is less clear whether or not the cameras actually reduce accidents and injuries.

Most studies have shown that red light cameras do not reduce the number of car accidents at intersections. The reason? Some drivers will abruptly stop when the light turns yellow or red, causing a significant number of rear-end accidents. That is, while the number broadside collisions go down, rear-end accidents go up, evening out the number of overall collisions. However, safety experts agree that red light cameras may reduce the number of serious injuries at intersections since rear-end accidents are often less serious than broadside accidents and head-on accidents.

All in all, Seattle red light cameras result in about 15,000 traffic citations each year. Will there be even more in the future? According to Seattle officials, it will all depend on the budget and future need.

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Bellevue
10655 NE 4th Street
Suite 208
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

Tacoma
3848 S. Junett
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 682-2000
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

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