Red Light Camera Timeline 1998

Red Light Camera Timeline 1998 - 2000

YOU BE THE JUDGE

1998 - "The new Automated Enforcement Program is designed to be self-supporting through the payment of fines for red light violations." [http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/safedige/Spring1998/n5-58.html]

January 1998 - Hefty red light camera ticket fine increase in California takes effect: "Don't run a red light, though. The price of ticket jumps from $103 to $270. Half of the fine increase -- $81 -- will be given to local governments to pay for enforcement efforts such as cameras installed at dangerous intersections. San Francisco plans to install cameras at about 30 intersections to nail red-light runners, who cause an estimated 1,000 accidents a year in the city." ["New Laws To Ring in The State's New Year", Greg Lucas, San Francisco Chronicle, 12/31/1997]

February 10, 1998 - Montgomery County, MD announces plans for red light cameras using federal funds: ""Motorists who run red lights pose a serious threat to the safety of other drivers, pedestrians and themselves," said Duncan." ... "The pilot project, which is funded by a $100,000 federal transportation grant, is a joint effort between Montgomery and Howard counties." ["Montgomery County To Begin Operation of Red Light Enforcement Cameras", MC Press Release 98-42, 2/10/98]

February 11, 1998 - Montgomery County, MD official notes $ potential of cameras: "The camera, installed three weeks ago on Old Georgetown Road, has photographed 60 to 80 cars a day flying through red lights, including one police car and one school bus, officials said." .... "Given the number of incidents, he [Duncan] said, "in two weeks, you'd make enough money to put in another camera." ["Montgomery County Turns Camera on Motorists", Metro In Brief - Maryland, Washington Post, 2/11/98]

February 12, 1998 - Montgomery County, MD police chief "runs red light" and causes wreck: "Just days before Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced plans this week to use cameras to catch red-light runners, the county's police chief [Montgomery County Police Chief Carol A. Mehrling] ran a stoplight and hit another car, and then walked away without a ticket." ... "Duncan said Romer reviewed the police report of the accident and spoke with Mehrling by telephone. "Basically, he said that it was clearly an accident, but the chief was at fault," Duncan said." ... ""I said, `I had a green light,' " Cahnmann [person whose car was struck] said. "She looked at me almost like she didn't realize she had a red light. I repeated, `I know I had a green light.' " ["Chief Runs Light, Hits Car Days Before Crackdown", Manuel Perez-Rivas, Brian Mooar, Washington Post, 2/12/98]

February 20, 1998 - In letter to the editor, Derwood, MD resident makes astute observation: "To ensure your own safety, green no longer can mean ``go," but "count to three and look both ways." ["Cameras great to stem tide of lawbreakers", CHRISTOPHER SUZICH, Derwood, Letters, Journal Newspaper, 2/20/98]

1998 - Howard County Engineer Writes about red light cameras: "In 1993, New York City began a red light running detection campaign with the installation of cameras at 15 signalized intersections. In a year, 175,000 violation notices were processed. The number of violations at each location decreased by an average of 21percent. Howard County, Maryland, has become increasingly concerned about the number of accidents and fatalities caused by red light violations, locally as well as nationwide. Knowing of the New York City experience, the county requested and received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to evaluate the effectiveness of automated detection in a suburban area. A consultant was employed to do a state-of-the-art evaluation of detection methods and to help the county implement a system." .... "Selecting proper locations for a red light camera is critical. In Howard County, we began by examining accident data with particular emphasis on angle accidents. Intersection plans were examined, followed by field review, and if the intersection appeared to be a worthwhile candidate, a specially modified traffic counter manufactured for us by Mitron Corporation was used, which only counted vehicles crossing during the red phase. The counter was set up with an initial delay of 3/10 of a second, corresponding to the proposed automated detector device. Likewise, only vehicles entering the intersection at speeds greater than 20 mph were tabulated. Candidate intersections should have 30 or more violations per day to justify the cost of installation and operation." .... "Automatic red light detection requires a partnership between the police department and traffic engineering." .... "It appears obvious that a close partnership is required between the police and traffic engineering during all phases of the red light camera detection operation." .... "In Maryland, the 1997 State Legislature approved a statewide law without a sunset provision. It became effective in October 1997." .... "Fortunately, new technology is becoming available to reduce costs and speed processing of violation notices." .... "The availability of digital cameras means that images can be transmitted to a central location where they can automatically be printed onto a notice of violation." .... "It is ideally suited for the large data base operation required for processing red light running violations. We are working under a federal grant to demonstrate the feasibility of digital based red light running detection systems." .... "Optical character recognition, which is available today, could be a natural adjunct to digital photography and permit automated processing of license plate numbers for identification of owners and their addresses. This would further reduce manpower requirements." ..... "Automated red light running detection is a rapidly developing field that could provide an important tool for improving highway safety. It also helps cement the natural partnership between police enforcement and traffic engineering." ["AUTOMATED RED LIGHT RUNNING DETECTION", by C. Edward Walter, Chief (Retired), Traffic Engineering Division; Member of ITE, http://www.co.ho.md.us/redltech.htm , exact date of publication not indicated]

[No mention of the traffic lights or engineering countermeasures being considered.]

For context: "The Virginia Department of Transportation found when it increased the yellow time at one of the state's red light camera intersections [US50 and Fair Ridge Drive], red light running dropped to almost nothing. " ["Forced To Run The Red?", Elaine Murphy, KOIN News, Beaverton, Oregon, 5/16/2001]

March 1998 - Howard County, MD Commences Red Light Camera Enforcement - "Law enforcement agencies [MD] began issuing citations under the new law in March, 1998. An evaluation component was built into the new program, and first-year results from the effort will be available in 1999."[http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/safedige/Spring1998/n5-58.html]

March 7, 1998 - Red light camera promoters announce red light camera magic in Oxnard, California, just before the legislature considers legislation making red light cameras a permanent fixture in the state (with camera sunset provisions looming and opposition to cameras growing): "Red light running violations dropped about 42% in Oxnard, California, several months after red light cameras were introduced at intersections there in 1997, indicates a new Institute study. Plus, the public overwhelmingly favored using the special enforcement cameras. The Institute surveyed residents of Oxnard and found that nearly 80 percent said they supported the cameras." ... "Researchers noted that the cameras have a spillover effect at city intersections that weren't equipped with them." .... "During the study, nine Oxnard intersections were equipped with them." ["Red light cameras deter red light running, win approval in California", Status Report Vol. 33, No2, March 7, 1998, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Wait a minute:

Red Light Cameras in Alexandria, VA not reducing violations: "So far, Alexandria hasn't experienced any drop in violations." ["Alexandria Adds Fake Cameras; City Using Real, Phony Equipment to Deter Red-Light Runners", Patricia Davis, The Washington Post, 8/26/98] (8 months after commencing red light camera enforcement)

Wait a minute:

Despite red light camera enforcement since July 1997, Oxnard, CA increases yellow times to address alarming accident problems: "But Oxnard, owner of 10 of the county's top 15 most dangerous intersections, claimed the next five spots." ..... "Oxnard decided to tackle that and other traffic problems a few months ago by extending the duration of yellow lights from 4 to 4.3 seconds on roads where traffic travels more than 40 mph." ..... ""A car can travel a long distance in 0.3 seconds," Genovese [Joseph Genovese, Oxnard's traffic engineer] said, noting that the changes were made on the recommendation of the state Department of Transportation. "When the light turns yellow, people make a decision about how hard to brake and still feel comfortable," he said. "This allows them a longer deceleration time." ["Thousand Oaks Intersection Worst In County: Hillcrest Drive and Moorpark Road was the most dangerous corner with 29 accidents. Oxnard racked up 10 slots on the CHP's top 15 list.", Catherine Blake, Los Angeles Times, Ventura County Edition, 11/29/99]

Wait another minute:

"3. Results "Red light violation rates per 10,000 vehicles recorded during the baseline period and 3-4 months after the enforcement began at the 14 study sites are summarized in Table 2. Violation rates were lower at all camera and non-camera sites. Overall reductions were 40% at camera sites and 50% at non-camera sites. There was no statistically significant difference between the reduction in violation rates at the camera and non-camera sites. Overall, the violation rate across the camera and non-camera sites was reduced approximately 42%, from 13.2 to 7.7 per 10,000 vehicles." ["Evaluation of red light camera enforcement in Oxnard, California", Retting/Williams/Farmer/Feldman, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 9/4/98, p172]

"Reductions in red light violations were very limited during the three-months-after period and took longer to achieve in Fairfax than in Oxnard, where violations were reduced by 42 percent within four months of camera enforcement." ["Evaluation of Red Light Camera Enforcement in Fairfax, Va., USA", Retting/Williams/Farmer/Feldman (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety", ITE Journal, August 1999]

"The first year reduction in red light violation rate in Oxnard was 42%, and 44% in Fairfax, VA." ["Which type of red light law - owner or driver liability - is preferred?", Red Light Cameras Questions & Answers [Source: 1998, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 23-Nov-98][ver.3/12/99] as seen on FHWA website 6/22/2002, http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/fourthlevel/pro_res_srlr_faq.htm ]

April 2, 1998 - Lobbying for legislative approval of red light cameras, Beaverton, OR official admits to chronic dangerous conditions: "Portland and Beaverton have been using photo radar for a couple of years and both cities say it's made a big difference. Like photo radar, the legislature must approve the use of red-light cameras. Beaverton's Linda Adlard will be at the next session leading the charge. "We have numerous drivers running red lights all the time here," Adlard told KOIN. "That is just a scenario which is asking for people to be killed. It's difficult to use police officers in that case because of course a police officer chasing you through that red light is also dangerous." [http://www.channel6000.com/c6k/news/stories/news-980402-231313.html April 2, 1998]

"Starting Tuesday, there was something different at the intersection of Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Griffith Drive." .... "Project managers pegged the intersection as one of the most dangerous in the city." .... “We hope to put ourselves out of business,” said Beaverton Chief of Staff Linda Adlard ”Essentially, if everyone quits running red lights in Beaverton that would be the best success story in the world." ["Red Light Runners Pay the Price in Beaverton", By Krista Vasquez and April Thomas, KGW News, January 23, 2001]

Same Beaverton official says three years later no effort was made to implement engineering safety countermeasures to reduce "red light running": "Beaverton, which has phased in five intersections since the first camera's debut in January, came out swinging, vigorously refuting the charge on television, on talk radio and in an unusually angry-sounding letter from Mayor Rob Drake to Armey." ...... "In Beaverton, Chief of Staff Linda Adlard also points out that signal times at its camera intersections have not been adjusted since 1996, five years before Beaverton got its cameras. "The accusation that we're rigging these things offends me and the mayor deeply," she said." [City Officials Defend Traffic Systems As Fair, Robin Franzen, Portland Oregonian, 6/13/01]

"The primary measure of effectiveness for the yellow interval is the percent of vehicles entering the intersection after the termination of the yellow indication; that is, during the red following the yellow." ...... "When the percent of vehicles that are last through the intersection which enter on red exceeds that which is locally acceptable (many agencies use a value of one to three percent), the yellow interval should be lengthened until the percentage conforms to local standards." ["Determining Vehicle Change Intervals - A Proposed Recommended Practice", Institute of Transportation Engineers, Washington, D.C., 1985, page 6]

1998 - Description of US50 at Fillmore in Arlington: "At Site 1, a divided six-lane, high-speed [72-km/h (45mph)] prinicpal arterial, 6,171 violations were observed during 1,176 hr (5.2 per hour)." ...... "Both locations had 4-sec yellow signal phases, which was deemed adequate." ["Red-Light Running and Sensible Countermeasures", section "Frequency of Red-Light Running", Retting/Williams/Greene, Transportation Research Record 1640, Paper No.98-0895][R.A. Retting and A.F. Williams, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1005 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. M.A. Greene, User Technology Associates, 4301 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201] (NOTE: The US50 eastbound approach to Fillmore Street is downhill at a 4-4.50 percent gradient, as per VDOT roadway profile drawings)

April 2, 1998 - Terrible Virginia accident happens: "A 60-year-old Fairfax County woman was killed in a multi-vehicle accident yesterday afternoon in the Seven Corners area, police said. Ann C. Beier, of the 3300 block of Patrick Henry Drive, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on Arlington Boulevard [aka US50]near South Manchester Street about 12:45 p.m. Her car was struck broadside as she was attempting to enter Arlington Boulevard from a service roadway, Fairfax County police said. Police said Paul Ritz, 33, of the 1900 block of Leonard Drive in the Falls Church area, ran a red light and struck Beier's vehicle. The force of the crash sent Beier's car into two other vehicles stopped at the light, and one other driver was slightly injured, police said." ["Fairfax County Woman Killed in Collision", Credit: Compiled from reports by staff writers Patricia Davis and Peter Slevin, Crime and Justice, The Washington Post, April 2, 1998]

[NOTE: This accident happened at the first signal on US50 due east of Patrick Henry Drive in Fairfax County, according to people familiar with the accident. The signals, although located in Fairfax County, are owned and operated by Arlington, according to VDOT. The posted speed limit on US50 is 45 MPH. In the 1988 MUTCD by FHWA it states "Twelve-inch lenses should be used for all signal indications for: (a) Approaches with 85 percentile approach speeds exceeding 40 mph. ..." ["4b-8 Size and Design of Signal Lenses", page 4b-7, Item #3, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 1988 edition.] The traffic lights controlling US50 movements at the intersection had only eight inch amber and green indications when observed in April 2002 (4 years after the accident)]

April 24, 1998 - Vienna, VA town council approves installation and operation of red light cameras: "The Town Council voted unanimously Monday to allow Nestor Inc., a Rhode Island-based company, to begin installing cameras to capture red light runners." .... "The running of red lights has substantially increased over the past few years," said Robinson. "It's a very dangerous situation." ..... "Running a red light is a very destructive act, and can easily lead to injury or death," agreed Councilman Robert McCormick." ["Vienna Traffic Gets The Picture", Warwick Webb, Journal Newspaper, April 24, 1998]

April 1998 - Proposal to lift sunset provision for California red light cameras and allow indefinite use statewide suffers legislative defeat: ""Opponents won a huge victory last month, defeating an effort to extend the law after a three-year trial run. Unless supporters can force another vote in the state assembly, the cameras could be headed for the dustbin in December." ["Red light cameras get the brake in California", DAVID BRINKERHOFF, Reuters, NandoTimes News, 5/4/1998 http://archive.nandotimes.com/newsroom/ntn/nation/050498/nation7_17389_body.html ]

"Legislators in California voted recently to end a trial program that placed cameras at busy intersections to snap drivers who run red lights, the National Center for Policy Analysis reports. Six cities in the state had been testing the federally backed program, but opponents successfully contended it was an invasion of privacy." .... "The U.S. Department of Transportation has been sponsoring the red light camera program for three years, with the goal of installing the cameras at busy intersections in 31 cities nationwide. The impetus for the program comes from official statistics which show that 8,000 people die and another million are injured each year in accidents involving motorists running red lights (see "Consumer Notes," June 1997)." ["Cameras hit red light", Kevin Blake, Consumers' Research Magazine, Washington, June 1998]

April 30, 1998 - FHWA/Rodney Slater come to California's RED LIGHT CAMERA rescue? FHWA announces phase 2 of red light camera program: "U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced the start of the second phase of a public education campaign, in partnership with Chrysler Corporation and the American Trauma Society (ATS), to prevent drivers from running red lights, one of the most dangerous acts of aggressive driving." .... "Red light running is a major traffic problem in urban areas, and more than 8,100 people died in 1996 in intersection crashes, according to the department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration." ["SECRETARY SLATER ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO COMBAT RED LIGHT RUNNING NATIONWIDE", Press Release, FHWA16-98, April 30, 1998, http://www.dot.gov/affairs/1998/fhwa1698.htm ]

May 1, 1998 - California Majority Floor Leader overstates annual red light running deaths when seeking red light camera legislative approval for lifting camera sunset provisions: "Assembly Majority Floor Leader Kevin Shelley (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today urged on the heels of a national campaign by the U.S. Department of Transportation that California continue to use cameras to catch red light runners." .... "Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater announced a nationwide campaign against red-light running, calling the practice one of the most dangerous aspects of aggressive driving. The new campaign provides federal and private funding for additional red light cameras to augment local law enforcement." .... "Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes and annually kills 8,000 people and injures one million more." ["SHELLEY FIGHTS TO KEEP RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN CALIFORNIA, ASSEMBLY MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER KEVIN SHELLEY, Press Release, May 1, 1998] http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a12/press/p1298003.htm (annual red light violation fatalities = 850; see entry 7/14/98)

May 4, 1998 - Opposition to red light cameras in California reported: "California legislators are trying to put the brakes on a traffic law that has privacy advocates screaming Big Brother." .... ""There are some things people do that are bad. But I'm not willing to give the government the power to have surveillance over us," said Republican Bernie Richter, who opposes the law." .... "Opponents won a huge victory last month, defeating an effort to extend the law after a three-year trial run. Unless supporters can force another vote in the state assembly, the cameras could be headed for the dustbin in December." .... "If pictures are worth a thousand words, then in Beverly Hills -- home of L.A.'s rich and famous -- they now cost you $271 if you run a red light. The city's one camera, installed in September, has caught an average of 130 violators a day, half of whom are issued tickets." ["Red light cameras get the brake in California", DAVID BRINKERHOFF, Reuters, NandoTimes News, 5/4/1998 http://archive.nandotimes.com/newsroom/ntn/nation/050498/nation7_17389_body.html ]

May 5, 1998 - Portland red light runners identified: "In light of this weekend's hit-and-run tragedy, KOIN 6 News decided to take a look at the number of people who run red lights - and caught some high-profile vehicles doing it. Including a Tri-Met bus." .... "The station also caught two delivery vans for Portland public schools going through red lights. The schools said the drivers could be disciplined because safety comes first. KOIN also saw what looked like a police officer entering on a yellow that turned red. The station asked why these people weren't being stopped. "Whatever intersection you were sitting at, I can go down the street and find another one just like it or downtown and find even another one like it," Portland Police officer Pat Nelson told KOIN. "There are so many intersections and so many potentials for conflict out there we can't be at all of them."" ["Red-Light Runners Run Rampant - Camera Captures Cars, Busses, And Police Running Red Lights", KOIN 6 News, 5/5/1998]

May 9, 1998 - Millions of federal dollars for red light enforcement announced: "President Clinton declared the era of big government over a few years ago. Apparently, his appointees over at the Transportation Department didn't get the word. Transportation announced $10 million worth of grants a few weeks ago to 200 communities to stop red-light jumping." .... "Communities that participate in the program will get money to beef up police patrols at intersections and to mount cameras to catch red-light runners. But the Clintonite program really has got to be the limit. Why is the federal government involving itself in enforcing local traffic laws?" ["Red Light, Greenbacks, One Two, Three", Editorial, The New York Post, 5/9/1998]

May 16, 2001 - "The Virginia Department of Transportation found when it increased the yellow time at one of the state's red light camera intersections [US50 and Fair Ridge Drive], red light running dropped to almost nothing. " ["Forced To Run The Red?", Elaine Murphy, KOIN News, Beaverton, Oregon, 5/16/2001]

May 18, 1998 - California Assembly passes bill removing red light camera sunset and granting statewide approval of red light cameras, again overstating "red light running" fatalities: "Assemblymember Kevin Shelley (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today secured passage of a bill in the California Assembly that provides local communities the control to decide for themselves whether to use cameras to ticket red light violators. On a vote of 49-25, the Assembly approved SB 1136 and sent it to the Governor for signature." .... ""Red light cameras work, and red light cameras save lives," said Assemblymember Shelley." .... "U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater recently announced a nationwide campaign against red-light running with federal and private funding for additional red light cameras to augment local law enforcement. Last year, the governor of California signed a Shelley bill that increased fines for running red lights to $271." ... ""We will only change people's behavior when increased fines are coupled with strict enforcement," concluded Assemblymember Shelley." .... "Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes and annually kills 8,000 people and injures one million more." ["ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL TO KEEP RED LIGHT CAMERAS", ASSEMBLY MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER KEVIN SHELLEY, Press Release, May 18, 1998] http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a12/press/p1298005.htm

May 19, 1998 - Yellow light timing problem in San Francisco identified? Even the churchgoers are running red lights: "Besides, those yellow lights are way too short. Really, officer." .... "Of all the drivers cited in the survey, nearly one-third of them said they were distracted when they were zooming past the glowing red signal, while the majority said they were either late or couldn't stop in time. "I don't like to brake too fast when the light comes up," said one respondent in the survey, which suggests some people are more concerned with brake drums than people." .... "Yellow lights last three seconds. When you see one, don't speed up. And when the light changes to green, try not to pretend that you're at Laguna Seca. Driving to work Sunday, I saw three people run red lights. I realize a lot of people are eager to get to church, but the congregation will understand if you're two or three minutes late -- certainly more so than your friendly neighborhood emergency room doctor or traffic cop." ["S.F. Survey Analyzes Scofflaws / Red-light runners pegged as aggressive, distracted", Ken Garcia, garciak@sfgate.com , San Francisco Chronicle, 5/19/1998]

May 19, 1998 - Washington Post overstates red light fatalities in reporting legislative approval of red light cameras in CA: "Reversing an earlier vote based on Republican lawmakers' fears of intrusive police surveillance, the California Assembly today voted, 49 to 25, to allow local communities to erect automatic cameras at busy intersections to catch motorists who run red lights. Assemblyman Kevin Shelley (D), a supporter of a federal pilot program to reduce red-light crashes, which kill 8,000 people a year, said the cameras "deter people from breaking the law, penalize those who do and, most importantly, save lives." ["Calif. Assembly Votes For Stoplight Cameras", The Washington Post, May 19, 1998]

May 21, 1998 - San Francisco Chronicle editorial favorable to cameras published: "AFTER SOME bizarre rhetoric, California legislators have endorsed red-light cameras, a proven tool in reducing lethal accidents on San Francisco streets. When a first vote failed last month, San Francisco Senator Quentin Kopp, author of a bill to continue the cameras, pushed for a re-run, which was successful this week. The episode illustrated some odd state Capitol folkways, with one assemblyman comparing the gray-box devices to Nazi Germany while another said the idea was cooked up only to raise money. To Kopp, and just about anyone who has looked at the evidence, the cameras curb dangerous driving habits, just as intended. In the five high-accident city intersections equipped by cameras, collisions have dropped by nearly half." ["More Red-Light Cameras", Editorial, San Francisco Chronicle, May 21, 1998]

But wait a minute:

"Andreassen (1995) found that the installation of RLC's at 41 sites studied did not result in any reduction in accidents at those sites. Further, he found no significant differences between crashes at RLC sites compared with signalised intersections in Melbourne generally. Thus, there was no need to do an extensive analysis of the correlation between red light running behaviour observed in this study and crashes. Nevertheless, a simple correlation analysis was undertaken for red light running data in the current study and revealed no significant relationship between the frequency of crashes at RLC and non-RLC sites and differences in red light running behaviour." .... " While the need for more RLC installations was not justified by this, or the recent accident study of Andreassen (1995), nevertheless there are grounds for improving the operation of existing RLC locations." ["Red Light Running Behaviour at Red Light Camera and Control Intersections", Monash University Accident Research Centre - Report #73, Kent, S./Corben, B./Fildes, B./Dyte, D., 1995 http://www.general.monash.edu.au/muarc/rptsum/es73.htm ]

Regarding 19th and Holloway in San Francisco, scene of a gruesome red light accident (see entry October 1994): "After the signals were coordinated, very few red-light violations were recorded, said Tom Folks, senior traffic engineer. "We think the prudent approach is to look at all the things you can do before getting to the point of installing the camera," Folks said." ["A Matter of Timing", Steve Emmons, Los Angeles Times, 9/3/98]

"And it's true in a few intersections we found a few more accidents than prior to the red light photo enforcement. At some intersections we saw no change at all, and at several intersections we actually saw an increase in traffic accidents." [San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano, ABC News: Nightline (11:35 PM AM ET), 7/30/01, Ted Koppel (Host)]

I would have to say that the cameras themselves have not reduced the number of (injury) collisions that have happened at these intersections," said Elizabeth Yard, an analyst with the San Diego Police Department's traffic division. -- San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/2/01

June 2, 1998 - California Governor signs bills extending red light camera use indefinitely: "Cameras monitoring dangerous intersections in several California cities can continue to snap away at motorists barreling through red lights. Gov. Pete Wilson signed a bill Monday that will indefinitely extend a law authorizing such automated cameras at red lights. The law was scheduled to expire Jan. 1." .... "A 1995 law created a three-year experimental program to let cities test the use of cameras mounted at intersections." .... "Tickets for running red lights are at least $271." .... "The bill had trouble getting through the Assembly, with conservatives comparing it to Big Brother and Nazi Germany. It failed once in April, but was given a second chance and was approved last month, 49-26." ["Law Signed Allowing Cameras to Catch Red Light Scofflaws", Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times, 6/2/1998]

June 17, 1998 - Charlotte red light camera sets speed record: "The City's first camera to catch drivers running red lights ran out of film after an hour. So did the second. City officials were expecting to photograph only 30 violators a day at each place. Instead, they averaged at least one every 3.5 minutes, and probably a lot more. "We were astounded," said Bill Dillard, who runs Charlotte's signal program. "I guess this puts to rest the question Charlotte drivers are really running red lights." .... "For now the two in operation, protected by bullet-proof boxes, keep watch over the junctions of Brookshire Freeway and Hovis Road, and College and Morehead streets." .... "In July, the registered owners of cars photographed running red lights will get a warning in the mail. They'll see a photo of their car - and a close-up of their tag. In August, the warnings stop. The $50 ticket begins." ["Red light runners get cameras rolling: Film runs out in hour", DIANNE WHITACRE, The Charlotte Observer, June 17, 1998]

June 1998 - "We enjoy many new conveniences and capabilities from advances in electronics and intelligence/knowledge. In the transportation world we have computer-controlled traffic management systems aided by all the information and intelligence derived from intelligent transportation systems...and it is only just the beginning." ... "It is reported that automated enforcement is used in over 75 countries throughout the world. However, it has been slow to catch on in the United States so far." .... "In this day of rapidly advancing technology and concerns about traffic safety, automated enforcement is an obvious candidate for addition to our profession's toolbox of safety improvements." ["Automated Enforcement Reduces Crashes", Brian S. Bochner, International President of ITE, ITE Journal, June 1998, page 12]

June 1998 - "A study in Arlington, Va., USA, found drivers ran red lights every 12 minutes on average. During peak hours, violations occurred every five minutes." .... "As a traffic engineer, can you afford to ignore automated red light camera detection?" ["The Case For Red Light Cameras", C. Edward Walter, P.E., Chief of the Traffic Division in the Department of Public Works for Howard County, MD, USA, "Overview of Automated Enforcement in Transportation", ITE Journal, June 1998, page 26]

Regarding the intersection where the above stat was generated: August 1, 1997 - Arlington VA increases the yellow at US50 and Fillmore Street, a study site for red light cameras by IIHS, from 4.00 to 4.50 seconds. (Yellow increase and results from making it not disclosed.) see entry 8/1/97

"The Virginia Department of Transportation found when it increased the yellow time at one of the state's red light camera intersections [US50 and Fair Ridge Drive], red light running dropped to almost nothing. " ["Forced To Run The Red?", Elaine Murphy, KOIN News, Beaverton, Oregon, 5/16/2001]

Summer 1998 - Follow The Money: "Citizens Against Speeding and Aggressive Driving has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant will serve as seed money for four projects:

Planning the first-ever National Road Victim Remembrance Day;
Upgrading our web site. Check it Out! (www.aggressivedriving.org);
Upgrading Road Rights, and expanding its circulation; and
Creating a public-private Partnership for Safe Driving.

The inspiration for the latter comes from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which creates nationwide anti-drug media campaigns. The drug-free partnership recently convinced Congress to spend an unprecedented $195 million to buy air time for its radio and TV advertisements." ["CASAD Receives $25,000 Grant, Plans Several National Projects", "Road Rights", Published quarterly by Citizens Against Speeding and Aggressive Driving (CASAD), Summer 98, V.1 N.4, http://www.crashprevention.org/newsletters/rrv1n4.html ]

July 14, 1998 - Problems with red light cameras in Alexandria confirmed. Councilman admits red light cameras not working: ""We knew we had a problem, and these numbers confirm it," police spokeswoman Amy Bertsch said yesterday. "It's surprising and disturbing." ..... "I'm certainly not surprised by the magnitude of the problem," City Council member David G. Speck (D), a supporter of the program, said yesterday. "The one thing that concerns me is that there is not yet a pattern of diminishing violations." .... "According to Retting, studies have shown that about 260,000 crashes and 850 fatalities a year nationwide can be blamed on red-light running. "On a national scope, it's a tremendous problem," Retting said. "It's like playing Russian roulette, except you're pointing the gun at everybody else. It's putting a lot of people at risk to save a few seconds." ["'Red-Light Runners in the Spotlight; Alexandria Camera Catches 7,500 Violators", Patricia Davis, The Washington Post, 7/14/98] (Yellow lights later increased one second at two of three camera sites, reducing violations over 75% at both places)

(So how much were violations reduced from increasing the yellow light at US50 and Fillmore in Arlington from 4.00 to 4.50 seconds on 8/1/97? When people find an interestion with such alarming numbers of violations withhold engineering safety countermeasures in favor of operating red light cameras, who is it really that is playing Russian roulette?)

July 14, 1998 - Neither accidents or violations reduced by red light cameras in Alexandria, VA: ""A highly-touted red traffic light camera program in Alexandria has failed to decrease the number of red light violations in the city despite having issued nearly 7,500 citations to motorists caught breaking the law, [Alexandria] police statistics show." ... "Considering that we have not seen a decrease in the number of red light violations ... we could not expect to see a decrease in the number of accidents," she [Alexandria Police spokesperson Amy Bertsch] said, adding that exact accident statistics for the three targeted intersections are not yet available." ["Cameras don't lessen traffic light runners", &nbspMAC JENNINGS, Journal Newspaper, 7/14/98] (7 months after starting red light camera enforcement)

July 16, 1998 - Washington Post, citing alarming violation numbers from Alexandria, calls for a lot more red light cameras in the Washington area: ""I CRINGE whenever I drive into an intersection. You never know when you're going to be broadsided." These sentiments, common to many of us, were expressed by a California driver a couple of months ago after the state legislature voted to ban further experimental use of cameras to photograph drivers in the act of running red lights." ..... "If you're calculating the odds on this happening to you, consider the latest figures in from Alexandria, where they set up cameras at three intersections last fall and proceeded to photograph some 7,500 vehicles running red lights in a period of less than six months." .... "A spokeswoman for the Alexandria police department called the figures on violations "surprising and disturbing." We'd just say disturbing; judging by the activity we've seen at some intersections around this area, the number actually seems on the low side. A camera put in place this past winter at an intersection in Howard County, Md., recorded 64 violations on its first day. Two cameras in Fairfax County caught almost 5,000 drivers running lights in seven months." .... "The Washington area could use a lot more of them." ["Red Lights, Cameras, Action", Editorial, Washington Post, 7/16/98] (NOTE: The yellow time at two of three Alexandria red light camera sites, because the cameras weren't "working", was later increased, reducing violations over 75%.)

For context (after yellow lights increased):

"[By email] I have answered the questionnaire and attached some charts of our violations-per-pass experience which illustrate the importance of "other" considerations on the rate at which red lights are violated. At both Patrick/Gibbon and Seminary/Nottingham (charts 2 and 3) other factors significantly contributed to steep drops in our rate of red light running. In the case of Patrick and Gibbon the cause was a retiming of the lights immediately preceding this intersection which had a profound impact. Similarly, the retiming of the yellow phase at Seminary and Nottingham had a dramatic effect." [Mark Canoyer, Tech. Services Div. Chief, Alexandria Police Department, September, 2001, "Evaluation of Traffic Engineering Aspects of Photo Monitoring Programs in Virginia", Virginia Department of Transportation, 5/7/02, page 75](special note: the yellow was increased at Patrick/Gibbon as well as per Alexandria traffic signal operators)

July 16, 1998 - Start of red light camera enforcement in Charlotte imminent: "The new cameras at four Charlotte intersections appeal to my mean streak - a streak that longs to scream, "Nail the idiot!" Are you one of the many loonies in this town who runs red lights - because you're in a hurry, because you're tired, because you're stupid?" .... "At the unveiling, I talked to the mayor and to police Capt. L. E. Blydenburgh, who heads the traffic unit. I was trying to ask intelligent questions, but cars kept flying through the red light distracting us. A white Nissan Pathfinder went sailing though, speeding west on Morehead. The camera made a satisfied "CLICK." "Got'em good!" said the captain, his face beaming. "Here's another coming up," I said. "Let's not miss it."" .... "No matter the sport, running red lights is a serious problem in Charlotte. In 997, more than 50 percent of accidents at intersections with signals were caused by drivers running red lights." .... "Running red lights is even worse. It shows not only flagrant disregard for the law, it shows a murderous disregard for human life. Running red lights is arrogant, irresponsible, stupid and mean-spirited." .... "At Hovis Road and Brookshire Freeway, I watched four vehicles on Brookshire barrel south through the red light between 11:20 and 11:32 am. One vehicle every three minutes." [Article by DANNYE ROMINE POWELL, The Charlotte Observer, July 16, 1998]

"The most significant change in the number of violations occurred at the intersection of Mission Bay Drive and Grand (1541) where the yellow change interval was extended from 3.1 seconds to 4.7 seconds. This change resulted in an 88-percent decrease in the number of violations. At the five other intersections, the number of violations dropped significantly in response to longer yellow times." ["City of San Diego Enforcement System Review Final Report", PB Farradyne Inc., January 14, 2002, Chapter 6 (Traffic Engineering and Traffic Operations Improvements", page 78] (there was no public disclosure of the yellow increases when they happened or the results from making them)

July 23, 1998 - Red Light Camera Stats from health and science writer: "Many drivers seem to believe that if they so much as see a light turn red they have permission to go through it. In August 1997, the city of Fairfax, Va. set up a camera at a single intersection and found more than 2,300 motorists ran a red light at it in a three-week period." .... "During the first six months, cameras were mounted at four San Francisco intersections, and there was a 42 percent drop in the number of drivers who ran red lights at them." .... "Signs warn that such cameras are ahead. Yet many motorists ignore both them and the red light." ["Cameras vs. Carnage: Why the Controversy?", Michael Fumento, Christian Science Monitor, 7/23/1998] (Michael Fumento is a Washington, D.C.-based health and science writer who specializes in risk issues)

""We will consider increasing yellow timing if other conditions warrant. Several jurisdictions have reported a sharp drop in red light running after yellow interval was increased. We are also installing LED signal heads at these 2 intersections to improve visibility." [Ramin Sabet, Senior Civil Engineer, Town of Herndon, VA, 9/26/01, "Evaluation of Traffic Engineering Aspects of Photo Monitoring Programs in Virginia", Virginia Department of Transportation, 5/7/02, page 87]

July 23, 1998 - Howard County, MD testing digital red light cameras: "The First digital red light camera in the United States was placed in operation Friday January 9, 1998, in Howard County, Maryland. Under a Federal Highway Administration study grant, Driver Safety Systems (DSS) of Israel activated the first of two cameras at a busy multi-lane intersection in Columbia. The second camera was activated Monday, January 12." ["RED LIGHT CAMERAS - NEWS", Howard County, July 23, 1998, http://www.co.ho.md.us/redlnews.htm ]

July 1998 - ""We understand the dynamics of urban crashes and what it takes to prevent many of them," says Richard Retting, Institute senior transportation engineer. "A range of measures starting with traffic signal timing and visibility improvements can help." .... "Another measure is to ensure adequate signal clearance intervals (yellow light plus brief red in all-directions that separate conflicting traffic flows). Inadequate clearances increase the proportion of drivers who enter intersections without enough time to go through before the light turns red. Research indicates that small increases in the duration of the yellow and allred could eliminate many cross-traffic conflicts. However, no universal practice exists for selecting the duration of intervals." ["Methods to reduce urban traffic crashes", Consumers' Research Magazine, Washington, July 1998] (No mention of yellow increase at US50 and Fillmore in Arlington or the effect on violations from making it.)

July 27, 1998 - Based on alarming violation statistic from Fairfax VA, Christian Science Monitor endorses red light cameras, claiming logic prevailed: "As science writer Michael Fumento noted on our op-ed page last week, a camera set up at an intersection in Fairfax, Va., a year ago caught more than 2,300 motorists running a red light in just three weeks. We write to reinforce the point of Fumento's column because one remedy for this lawless behavior is the presence of well-advertised surveillance cameras at problem traffic lights in more communities. States with known problem intersections ought to use this deterrent." .... "In California, the legislature almost caved in to a nonsensical complaint that the drone-camera deterrent smacked of Nazi Germany. But then logic prevailed and legislators declined to ban the cameras. Considering that red-light-running causes some quarter million accidents and 800 fatalities a year nationwide, that's the right answer." ["Red Alert", Editorial, Christian Science Monitor, July 27, 1998]

July 30, 1998 - San Diego CA Red Light Camera Enforcement Commences

August 1998 - Arlington VA commences red light camera enforcement.

August 7, 1998 - Photo radar testing on Washington DC Beltway?: "DRIVE aggressively on the Beltway, Interstate 495, north or east of Washington, and a computer-operated radar gun and camera will single your car out; the computer will look up the registration and send a warning letter to the owner. A Maryland state trooper may watch, too, but the system can operate on its own." .... "Some departments initially feared a public backlash, and have mostly avoided using the systems for speed enforcement, a technology that threatens virtually every driver and thus raises the public's ire. But the police say they have found widespread support -- or at least, few complaints -- for using the technology to catch drivers who run red lights." ["You're on Candid Camera. Pay Up", Matthew L. Wald, Column: Autos on Friday/Safety, New York Times, 8/7/98]

August 12, 1998 - For safety reasons, yellow increased at US50 and Fair Ridge Drive in Fairfax County, VA from 4.00 to 5.50 seconds as per VDOT.

August 26, 1998 - Red Light Cameras in Alexandria, VA not reducing violations: "So far, Alexandria hasn't experienced any drop in violations." ["Alexandria Adds Fake Cameras; City Using Real, Phony Equipment to Deter Red-Light Runners", Patricia Davis, The Washington Post, 8/26/98] (9 months after starting red light camera enforcement)

August 26, 1998 - Alexandria, VA official acknowledges that red light cameras are not working and therefore need to hammer people driving even more: "I think we need to be less polite and more aggressive," said City Council member David G. Speck (D). "This is a deep-seated problem of epidemic proportions, and behavior is not easily changed." ["Alexandria Adds Fake Cameras; City Using Real, Phony Equipment to Deter Red-Light Runners", Patricia Davis/Peter Pae, The Washington Post, 8/26/1998] (nine months after commencing red light camera enforcement and about four weeks before the first yellow time increase in Alexandria)

August 26, 1998 - IIHS expert commenting on red signal violation problems nationwide: "On a national scope, it's a tremendous problem," Retting said. "It's like playing Russian roulette, except you're pointing the gun at everybody else. It's putting a lot of people at risk to save a few seconds." ["Alexandria Adds Fake Cameras; City Using Real, Phony Equipment to Deter Red-Light Runners", Patricia Davis/Peter Pae, The Washington Post, 8/26/1998] (nine months after Alexandria commenced red light camera enforcement and about four weeks before the first yellow time increase in Alexandria)

September 3, 1998 - "At about the same time, a series of red-light fatalities in State College, Pa., alarmed one of its residents, Tom Larson, who just happened to run the Federal Highway Administration. "I asked our people to start looking seriously for a way we could minimize this behavior," Larson said. What resulted was a slick package of audio, video and written materials for launching local safety campaigns, plus $15,000 grants to help get the campaigns started. Thirty-two cities, including San Francisco and Sacramento, signed up, and some went to great lengths to carry out the campaigns. For a while, police in Kenner, La., were pulling over motorists who had obeyed the red light by issuing prizes instead of citations. Mila Plosky, who manages the highway administration's safety outreach, credited the program for making people aware of the red-light running problem and laying a foundation for approval of camera enforcement. "Public acceptance is not there without the (public relations effort)," she said. ["Caught In A Flash", Steve Emmons, The Los Angeles Times, 9/3/98]

IIHS expert, in a west coast newspaper report, says there is no question short yellow lights are to blame at some intersections and intersections on high-speed thoroughfare's may need a five second yellow: "There's no question that a short yellow light is partly to blame in some intersections," said Richard Retting, senior transportation engineer at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, VA. He also chairs the Institute of Transportation Engineers' safety council. Most urban intersections require a three- to four-second yellow light to allow drivers to stop or continue through safely, Retting said. An intersection on a high-speed thoroughfare may need a five second yellow light." ["A Matter of Timing", Steve Emmons, Los Angeles Times, 9/3/98] (no mention of the four second yellow at US50 and Fillmore in Arlington (a downhill high-speed approach) when IIHS counted an alarming number of violators to promote cameras and no mention that the yellow was increased after the counts.) (no mention of three second yellow lights in Alexandria and red light cameras not working)

September 3, 1998 - "In San Francisco, a particularly gruesome red-light crash in 1994 launched the camera enforcement movement in California. A driver ran the light at 19th and Holloway avenues and slid through a crowd of 50 people at a bus stop. One of the city's first enforcement cameras was installed at this intersection. But traffic engineers discovered that traffic-signal timing was causing many of the red-light violations there because the signals were not coordinated with those at 19th Avenue and Crespi Drive only 250 feet away. Some drivers cruising normally past Crespi found themselves almost immediately confronted with a yellow or red light at Holloway. After the signals were coordinated, very few red-light violations were recorded, said Tom Folks, senior traffic engineer. "We think the prudent approach is to look at all the things you can do before getting to the point of installing the camera," Folks said." ["A Matter of Timing", Steve Emmons, Los Angeles Times, 9/3/98]

September 4, 1998 - First National Stop On Red Week commences: "Two of three Americans see other drivers run red lights every day, according to a survey released today to kick off National Stop on Red Week. This nationwide week of awareness, the result of a partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation‚s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), American Trauma Society and Chrysler Corporation, runs from Sept. 4-11 and features events in Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C." ["Two of Three See Other Drivers Run Red Lights Every Day, Says Survey As National Stop on Red Week Begins", Press Release, FHWA37-98, http://www.dot.gov/affairs/1998/fhwa3798.htm ]

September 4, 1998 - Alexandria PD official confirms camera sites are dangerous due to red signal violations: ""Alexandria police spokesman Lt. John Crawford said yesterday the city began the program last fall to reduce accidents caused by red light runners at three intersections with the worst history of accidents." ["New bailiwick eyes red light cameras", ELLEN SOROKIN, Journal Newspaper, 9/4/98] (20 days before the first yellow increase)

September 4, 1998 - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety publishes study claiming red light cameras reduced violations 42% within four months in Oxnard, CA.: "Overall, the violation rate across the camera and non-camera sites was reduced approximately 42%, from 13.2 to 7.7 per 10,000 vehicles." ["Evaluation of Red light Camera Enforcement in Oxnard, California", Retting/Williams/Farmer/Feldman, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Arlington, VA., 9/4/1998, page 172]

September 24, 1998 - Because of ineffective red light camera enforcement results, Alexandria VA violated a commandment of the red light camera crowd and increased the yellow at Seminary/Nottingham from three to four seconds, reducing violations over 75%. Yellow light timing change and results from making it not publicly disclosed by Alexandria.

September 28, 1998 - "''Every year drivers who run red lights are responsible for 260,000 crashes, of which about 750 to 800 are fatal,'' said Julie Rochman, spokeswoman for the Insurance Institute, which is based in Arlington, Va. ''People run red lights because they make a conscious decision to do so. It's not out of ignorance. We all know red lights mean stop." ["Red Light Roulette", Cindy Starr, The Cincinnati Post, 9/28/98]

(No mention of yellow increase in Alexandria or over at US50 and Fillmore in Arlington, an IIHS study site. No mention of results from increasing yellow lights)

Insurance safety official says IIHS people "laugh hysterically" at people who promote use of sound engineering practices: "The media goes to the NMA because it's hard to find someone who's against safety," she [Julie Rochman of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety] says. "We laugh hysterically that they could be our rivals. My impression is that they're two guys in Wisconsin." ["Activist finds the cause that drives him", Nick Sortal, Outlook, Sun-Sentinel South Florida, 9/12/1999, page 2H] (for information about NMA [National Motorists Association] visit http://motorists.org/ )

September 30, 1998 - IIHS transportation researcher, in an east coast newspaper, comments on why red light cameras are not working in Alexandria, VA and implies more time should be allowed: "This is not rocket science," said Richard Retting, senior transportation engineer for the institute." .... "Retting [of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety] suggests that motorists in Alexandria might not be fully aware of the red light cameras. "It is possible that in some communities, it takes longer for drivers to become aware," he said." ["New red light camera snaps 14,776 runners", WARWICK WEBB, Journal Newspaper, 9/30/98] (six days after first yellow increase and before any increase at Patrick/Gibbon, an intersection with even greater problems)

NOT ROCKET SCIENCE:

September 30, 1998 - Alexandria police spokesperson comments about red light cameras: "Although the number of motorists caught running red lights at two of Alexandria's most dangerous intersections has decreased, a high number of tickets issued at a third location has kept the total number of violations since the program's inception constant." .... "The number of red light runners at Duke and South Walker streets and Seminary Road and Nottingham Drive has "measurably decreased," said police spokeswoman Amy Bertsch, but the number of violations at the intersection of South Patrick and Gibbon streets has offset that decrease, accounting for 45 percent of the violations. At that intersection, which is prone to accidents, motorists speeding and running red lights, a sign has been posted advising drivers about the number of red light runners caught there. "We're still committed to the program," Bertsch said. "We have seen its success in other jurisdictions across the country and in this area, and with time we expect to see the number of violations at [Gibbon and South Patrick streets] to drop." ["New red light camera snaps 14,776 runners", WARWICK WEBB, Journal Newspaper, 9/30/98] (No mention of the yellow increase at Seminary/Nottingham on 9/24/98)

September 30, 1998 - IIHS researcher commenting about Arlington's start of red light camera operations: "Drivers are clearly aware that the red light cameras are in use," Retting said. "This has to have some effect on how people drive." Retting said he expected the number of red light runners at the intersection of Route 50 and Fillmore Street to be 40 or more a day. The insurance institute did a study at that intersection from November 1994 to March 1995 and documented more than 100 violations a day. ["Red Light Camera Catches Fewer Runners Than Expected", Hallie Pickhardt, Journal Newspaper, 9/30/98] (No mention of yellow increase from 4.00 to 4.50 seconds on 8/1/97 at US50 and Fillmore. Why such a low estimate of violators for US50 and Fillmore if IIHS counted 125 "red light runners" per day under the four second yellow between NOV94-MAR95?)

October 8, 1998 - Alexandria, VA police official notes dismal red light camera enforcement results at Patrick/Gibbon camera site after ten months along with what can happen when yellow lights are inadequate. ""People still aren't stopping, and it's a dangerous location,"police spokeswoman Amy Bertsch said of the intersection. "Pedestrians have been struck trying to cross that intersection."["Clicking Away at Red-Light Runners",

Patricia Davis, The Washington Post, 10/8/98] (yellow increase at Seminary/Nottingham on 9/24/98 not disclosed)

October 18, 1998 - People in Charlotte slamming brakes on. City wants higher ticket fines: "In less than three months, eight high-tech cameras have yielded 2,500 red-light citations - more than the entire Charlotte-Mecklenburg police force wrote in all of 1997." .... "I think this shows the cameras are working and a lot of people are running red lights," said Brett Vines, special programs manager with the Charlotte Department of Transportation." .... "The cameras have photographed several near-accidents, including one at Tyvola and Wedgewood that shows smoke rising from rear tires as a driver brakes hard to avoid a collision." .... "The penalty may go up next year. The Charlotte City Council this week said it will ask the N. C. General Assembly for permission to increase the fine; an amount has not been suggested." ["Red Light Cameras Paying Off", DIANNE WHITACRE, The Charlotte Observer, 10/18/98]

October 19, 1998 - Transportation officials lay out plans for red light cameras in Fairfax County, VA: "Fairfax County plans to use electronic cameras at 30 intersections to ticket drivers who run red lights, joining several local governments that have instituted similar programs. The Board of Supervisors still has to formally approve the plan, which was laid out by transportation officials yesterday, but several supervisors said they anticipate little objection to the program. They said it could be up and running by the spring." ["It's (red) lights, cameras for county", ROBERT WHITE, Journal Newspaper, 10/20/98]

October 20, 1998 - Fairfax County, VA elected official, presumably unaware of problems with yellow lights and red light cameras in neighboring Alexandria, expresses her belief that red light cameras have "worked" in other jurisdictions: "Supervisor Penelope A. Gross, D-Mason District, said her office constantly receives calls and letters from residents who want to see Fairfax enact the red light program, something she attributed to a fatal accident on Route 50 in April in which a woman was killed by a car that ran a red light. "They're saying, `Other places are using photo red light, when are we going to get it?'" Gross said. "It's worked in other jurisdictions, and frankly I'm a little disappointed we weren't one of the first to use it." ------ "We want to deter red light running not just at those intersections but at all the intersections," Hanley said. Fairfax has more than 700 intersections that have traffic signals, according to transportation planners."---------"The goal is not to catch people" who drive through red lights, said Supervisor Sharon Bulova, D-Braddock District. "You want to stop people from running red lights." ["Cameras Aim to Curb Red Light Offenders", Robert White, Journal Newspaper, 10/20/98] (see entry dated 4/2/98 for info regarding accident noted)

December 1998 - ""It's working well, just as predicted," said [San Francisco, California] Senator Quentin Kopp, author of a 1995 bill that established guidelines for California communities using red-light enforcement." .... ""It's fail-safe as far as I'm concerned," Kopp said. "That camera doesn't lie." .... "Whatever actions states take, supporters see the trend toward greater use of camera technology as irresistible. "I wouldn't be surprised to see it just about everywhere in three or four years," said Richard Leib, general counsel for U.S. Public Technologies, Inc., a San Diego company that makes redlight systems." ["Invisible traffic cops", Chris Burnett, State Legislatures, NCSL, December 1998] (Just before sale of US Public Technologies to Lockheed Martin IMS is announced)

December 13, 1998 - Washington Post Editor makes revelation about intentions of some in MD: "A Maryland legislator recently suggested to Lon Anderson, a spokesman for the local American Automobile Association, that all we would have to do to stop people from running red lights is raise the fine to $1,500. Says Anderson, "I think there's a lot of validity to that, but I don't know of a politician that's going to vote for that." ["Off the Road to Ruin", Elizabeth Kastor, Column: What Works, Washington Post, 12/13/1998] (Elizabeth Kastor is an editor on The Post's Metro desk.)

Invariably when an accident happens, the focus moves quickly to placing blame on one human being or another directly involved in the accident. Often the underlying implication is that "if soandso had done this or that differently" the accident wouldn't have happened and therefore soandso is responsible. In a way it is a process of applying "what if" tests to assign blame. A search for a violation is made and a person is accused and eventually convicted, often based on a technicality. Once one person is blamed, others tend to be absolved and other contributing causes of an accident can be entirely disregarded/overlooked, even when they may have been the most predominant contributing facoter to the accident. But "what if" other people, for example those responsible for the signals, had done a few things differently too?

December 14, 1998 - Lockheed Martin enters photo enforcement business by announcing purchase of US Public Technologies: "Lockheed Martin IMS Corporation, a leading provider of information management services to state and local governments, today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire San Diego, California-based U.S. Public Technologies L.L.C. (USPT), a leading provider of photo enforcement technology services in the United States and Canada." .... "Earlier this year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater announced a nationwide campaign to target aggressive driving and install more red light cameras at the nation's signalized intersections. This USPT acquisition uniquely positions Lockheed Martin IMS to provide its photo enforcement customers with a full spectrum of turnkey services tailored to meet their individual needs, from intersection engineering and violation capture to registered owner inquiry, citation issuance, payment processing, collection and interface with local court systems. ["Lockheed Martin Agrees to Acquire Photo Enforcement Leader U.S. Public Technologies", Lockheed Martin Press Release, Teaneck, NJ, 12/14/1998]

1999 - Regarding yellow time: "If the interval is too short, rear end collisions may result." [Traffic Engineering Handbook, Fifth Edition, p 481, Institute of Transportation Engineers, c1999]

January 2, 1999 - Just in time for annual red light camera push in Florida, dangerous St. Petersburg intersection described: "Richard Retting, a transportation engineer with a worldwide reputation, recently recalled a very scary place -- an intersection in St. Petersburg. Retting, formerly a top transportation official for New York City, was in town a year ago when a colleague drove him to the intersection of 38th Avenue N and 49th Street. The intersection itself is unremarkable, he said last week. "But I was just astounded by the blatant red light running at that intersection," Retting said. "I had not ever seen that kind of red light running in my travels. They were not even close calls; people were running through three and four seconds after the light had changed." Retting is regarded as the nation's leading authority on "red light cameras," which automatically take photos of vehicles running red lights." ["Putting red light runners in focus", David K. Rogers, St. Petersburg Times, 1/2/1999]

January 1999 - Fairfax County, VA Board of Supervisors Approves Red Light Cameras: "Edward Utley, a county resident, testified in favor of the red light monitoring system. He was the only speaker at the public hearing that preceded the board's vote. "I am very concerned about traffic safety and particularly red light running," Utley said. At a major intersection near his home in central Fairfax, he said, "We frequently see red light running, not only cars but trucks," including dump trucks and school buses.------Supervisor Gerald E. Connolly, D-Providence District, said the county should use the technology at its disposal to reduce an increasing number of red light runners. "It is dangerous," he said. "People are going to get hurt or killed if this continues. We have to do something about it." ["Board Approves Red Light Cameras for Fairfax County", Robert White, Journal Newspaper, 1/26/99] (So why not just fix the lights?)

February 3, 1999 - Tragic red light accident at red light camera study site in Howard County, MD noted: "The Montgomery County effort came after officials in Howard County installed a similar camera three years ago at an intersection where a Columbia woman and her young daughter were killed when their car was struck by a speeding dump truck that ran a red light." ["Cameras coming", MARK TAPSCOTT, Journal Newspaper, 2/3/99]

"Research has consistently shown that drivers do not, in fact, adapt to the length of the yellow." ["Determining Vehicle Change Intervals - A Proposed Recommended Practice", Institute of Transportation Engineers, Washington, D.C., 1985, page 8]

February 9, 1999 - Montgomery County, MD elected official, presumably unaware of Alexandria's red light camera/yellow light fiasco and believing cameras work "every place else", calls for unlimited number of red light cameras: "I am anxious to have as many red-light cameras as possible," said council member Betty Ann Krahnke, R-Bethesda-Chevy Chase. "They work every place else. I want them here." ["County camera force growing", Karen Lee, Journal Newspaper, 2/9/99]

February-March 1999 (+/-) - Because of ineffective red light camera enforcement results, Alexandria, VA (fifteen months +/- after starting rlc operations and five months after yellow increase at Seminary/Nottingham, which yielded a considerable reduction in violations there) increases the yellow at Patrick St (US1) and Gibbon St. from three to four seconds, reducing violations over 75%. Yellow light timing change and results from making it not publicly disclosed by Alexandria.

March 11, 1999 - Minnesota "red light running" study results noted: "The Minnesota Department of Transportation has been testing the technology at various locations over the past two years. The pictures have shown that red-light running is a serious and chronic problem at some intersections." .... "Bloomington was the site of the most recent photo-cop test. From last August to December, cameras were stationed at Hwy. 169 and Pioneer Trail, near the Bloomington-Eden Prairie border, where red-lightrunning is a neighborhood safety concern. More than 100 days of filming determined that red-lightrunning is a problem at that intersection but also that violations could be reduced by flashing warning signs that would alert drivers that the signal ahead is about to turn red. In the first 53 days of the test, the cameras, triggered by pavement detection devices, took pictures of the license plates of all vehicles runningred lights at the intersection. Next, signs reading "Be Prepared to Stop When Flashing" were installed 830 feet from the intersection. The camera photographed another 53 days' worth of red-lightrunning.

The results: 1) There were 749 red-light violations before the flashing warning signs were put in. 2) After the warning signs were posted, photo cop recorded 532 violations - a 29 percent reduction. 3) The biggest reduction was in truck violations, which dropped from 203 to 80 - a 61 percent decrease. 4) The number of cars running red lights dropped from 546 to 452, a 17 percent reduction, after the warning signs went up.

The Transportation Department says these numbers show that the warning flashers are effective in reducing red-light running. But hundreds of motorists continued to run the light even with the warning signs flashing. And they were running the light at speeds that indicated that they had no intention of stopping. It could be that the warning flashers do reduce red-light running among motorists who run the lights because they don't see the red in time. This may be especially true for truck drivers who have heavy vehicles and can't stop as quickly when a signal changes." ["Photo-Cop gets First Green Light", Laurie Blake, Star Tribune, 5/11/1999]

March 17, 1999 - Cupertino CA counts "red light runners".....official admits critical time is just after lights turn red: "Red-light runners beware. Since February, a traffic camera has been placed at the intersection of De Anza and Stevens Creek boulevards to track the number of red-light runners. That single camera--which will be moved to three other intersections in the next two months--will decide the fate of Cupertino's red light enforcement." ..... ""I've never heard of another city doing something like this," said Vicki Guapo, senior traffic technician." .... ""We're going to commit to a program," Chong said. "It's going to cost us a lot of money up front and it will cost us long-term. We want to make sure we are going to minimize our risks." .... ""We feel the real critical time is the five seconds after the light turns red," Guapo said." ["Study on red-light runners to begin", Michelle Ku, Cupertino Courier, March 17, 1999] (see entry 4/26/2000 for Lockheed Martin camera location criteria)

April 1999 - Vienna, VA commences red light camera enforcement.

April 8, 1999 - "Red light running is a major problem in Northern Virginia," said Richard Retting, senior transportation engineer at the Arlington-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety." ["'RESPECT RED" Curbs Menace of Light Runners", Daniel Seligson, Journal Newspaper, April 8, 1999] (Walsh accident under three second yellow light at GWMP/Slaters in Alexandria is 7 days away....still nothing said about yellow lights being increased or results from increasing them in Alexandria....what a shame.)

April 15, 1999 - Walter Walsh of Alexandria, VA., bicyclist, is killed by an alleged "red light runner" under a dangerously inadequate three second yellow light at the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Slaters Lane, a signal operated by the City of Alexandria. Officials disregard conflicting eyewitness testimony and apparent impossibilities in some witness statements and the book is thrown at driver with perfect driving record....to send a message. Here is some of what U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa C. Buchanan had to say: "This case has bothered me greatly." ...... "If he had not run the red light, Mr. Walsh would be here today." ["Red-Light Runner Gets 45 Days in Death; U.S. Judge Says Driver Could Have Prevented Accident That Killed Cyclist", The Washington Post, 5/11/2000]

Alexandria resident describes what he sees under the dangerously inadequate three second yellow at GWMP and Slaters Lane in Alexandria: "I cross the George Washington Parkway several times each day near where Walter Walsh was killed, and every day I see drivers behaving with reckless indifference to the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and one another. During rush hour I almost never see a cycle of the lights completed without someone's running a red light. I have asked police why they don't stop people and been told that it would be too disruptive to traffic. Are lives an acceptable price to pay to get to work on time?" ["Drivers Who Don't See Red", Claude Courbois of Alexandria, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, The Washington Post, 5/19/2000] (suggest reread entry 10/8/98 regarding what was happening under three second yellow at Patrick Street (US1) and Gibbon Street)

Subsequent news report documents what happens under the dangerously inadequate three second yellow light at GWMP and Slaters Lane: "Last fall, reporters at The Times counted 20 vehicles in 30 minutes -- including a police cruiser -- running a red light under the three-second yellow signal at Slaters Lane and the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Alexandria. Six months later, those two reporters watched for another half-hour as 21 vehicles got caught by the same quick-changing light." ["Armey seeks probe of short yellow lights", Daniel F. Drummond, The Washington Times, 5/24/01]

Roseller "Larry" Enguillado seeking to apologize to Mr. Walsh's widow after being wrongly convicted by a mob for violating an impossibly timed and dangerously inadequate three second yellow light: "I did not intend this to happen. I am not an aggressive driver. I am not a bad person," he said. "I won't forget this for the rest of my life." ["Red-Light Runner Gets 45 Days in Death; U.S. Judge Says Driver Could Have Prevented Accident That Killed Cyclist", The Washington Post, 5/11/2000]

Despite 40 red light violations per hour, Alexandria, VA officials say dangerous three second yellow light at GWMP and Slaters Lane is A OK. City engineers says yellow lights meet national standards: "The City of Alexandria has been very diligently monitoring and adjusting signal synchronization all over the City to avoid the circumstance you describe. I requested that the staff of the Department of Transportation respond to your comment, and this is what they reported to me: The Parkway approaches to the Slaters Lane intersection both have a three (3) second yellow light followed by a two (2) second red clearance. The speed limit of the Parkway at this location is 25 miles per hour. There is no accident problem, and based on the speed limit the yellow and red clearance times are in conformance with national standards. Based on this information we feel that the yellow and red times for this location are appropriate. I certainly agree that a "fast" yellow can create a circumstance in which drivers are not able to stop in a reasonable time, but that is not the problem in Alexandria." [Message by Alexandria Councilman David G. Speck with cc's to david.smith@fhwa.dot.gov ; lockwood_pb@vdot.state.va.us ; kastenhofer_io@vdot.state.va.us ; ernest.huckaby@fhwa.dot.gov ; patrick.hasson@fhwa.dot.gov ; michael.halladay@fhwa.dot.gov ; raj.ghaman@fhwa.dot.gov ; brichsc@vdot.state.va.us ; sean_mccabe@nps.gov ; audrey_calhoun@nps.gov ; MayorALX@aol.com ; tom.davis@mail.house.gov , Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2001 5:09 PM Subject: Re: GWMP at Slaters Lane - Signals] (Note - Speed Limit is Not 25 MPH and besides, actual prevailing speeds govern in establishing yellow time as per "national standards")

April 28, 1999 - News from Alexandria, VA: "Last year, Alexandria had as many pedestrian fatalities as deaths in vehicles, according to Bertsch, who blamed the deaths on speeders and red light runners." ["City OKs red light camera decoy", STEPHEN HENN, Journal Newspaper, 4/28/1999] (two weeks after Walsh death under dangerously inadequate three second yellow at GWMP and Slaters Lane - still no mention of yellow light increases at the camera sites or the results from making them)

April 28, 1999 - "When we first put the cameras up, we were issuing 2,000 tickets a month," said Thomas O'Kane, the city's director of transportation and environmental services. "That has dropped off for a couple of reasons." ["City OKs red light camera decoy", STEPHEN HENN, Journal Newspaper, 4/28/1999] (two weeks after Walsh death under dangerously inadequate three second yellow at GWMP and Slaters Lane - still no mention of yellow light increases at the camera sites or the results from making them)

April 29, 1999 - Virginia newspaper editorial weighs in on red light cameras: "So use decoys, says [Alexandria] Mayor Kerry Donley. "When you go duck hunting, what do you put out on the lake? A decoy," says the Great White Hunter. Problem is, bwana, you aren't dealing with ducks here. These are living, breathing human beings who have a brain larger than a walnut and do more than quack their way through their miserable existences." ..... "We don't like the red light cameras, which represent overbearing government intrusiveness at its worst. Unfortunately, they're also up in Fairfax City and are coming to Fairfax County, Arlington and Vienna. But come on, if it's going to happen, at least local officials can be honest about it." ["Quack, quack", Editorial, The Journal Newspaper, 4/29/1999]

May 12, 1999 - VDOT official confirms yellow had been increased at US50 and Fair Ridge Drive in Fairfax County, VA for safety reasons: "Epton [Loren Epton, Northern Virginia district traffic engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation] said VDOT fixed a signal problem at the intersection of Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway [aka US50] and Fair Ridge Drive that, according to statistics, had 37 accidents last year. In that case, Epton said, the agency increased the timing of the yellow light by a few seconds so drivers had enough time to stop or pass through it without causing a wreck." ["Rolling, Old Keene Mill crossroad tops `hit list'- Police figures pinpoint accident-prone roads", Ellen Sorokin, Journal Newspaper 5/12/99]

June 18, 1999 - Montgomery County, MD officials comment on how camera sites selected but refuse to disclose camera locations. Elected official says "so what" and "too bad": "Lanham and Scott Wainwright, chief of the county's Division of Traffic and Parking, said they chose the 15 sites based on the number of accidents because of red-light running and the number of citations issued, among other things. Officials refused to disclose the locations of the 15 sites where the cameras will be placed." ... "So what if drivers aren't warned?" Dacek said. "Too bad. They did something wrong." ["A picture may be worth $75 ", Karen Lee, Journal Newspaper, 6/18/99]

July 12, 1999 - "By land air and cyberspace, local and federal police are launching an unprecedented crackdown to make the nation's roads rougher for aggressive drivers." .... "Among the efforts: "The federal government is spending more than $10 million over the next three years to install high-tech cameras in red lights to nab motorists in a handful of communities." .... "People are trying to save 10 or 15 seconds by running a red light, and they are risking lives to do it. We will focus on putting a stop to that," Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater says." ["Local, federal police work on safety", Scott Bowles, USA Today, 7/12/1999]

July 14, 1999 - Montgomery County, MD elected official commenting on the financial aspects of red light cameras: ""The impact of this program in other communities has been a reduction in red light running and the program more than paying for itself," said Councilmember Betty Ann Krahnke, chair of the Council‚s Public Safety Committee." ["Council Approves Photo Red Light Enforcement Program", Montgomery County Council News Release. July 14, 1999]

August 1999 - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety publishes study claiming red light cameras reduced violations 40% in one year in City of Fairfax, VA.: "This study found a large and highly significant reduction in red light violations one year after implementation of the red light camera enforcement program in Fairfax. Most Fairfax residents knew about the cameras, and the violation rate across the camera and noncamera sites was reduced approximately 40 percent one year after enforcement began." ["Evaluation of Red light Camera Enforcement in Fairfax, VA., USA", Retting/Williams/Farmer/Feldman, ITE Journal, August 1999, page 33]

Special Note: Alexandria's red light camera program was not the subject of study by IIHS or others. Could it be because of the red light camera/yellow light fiasco, the Walsh fatality, pedestrians killed under Alexandria's fast changing lights, etc.? Alexandria was the second jurisdiction in the Metropolitan DC area to use red light cameras. One would think researchers (IIHS, FHWA, NHTSA, etc.), most of whom are within just a few miles of Alexandria, would be anxious to report on the "successes" of the Alexandria red light camera program.)

August 1999 - Public works director in Alexandria, VA. steps down: "Tom O'Kane, Alexandria's director of transportation and environmental services, is leaving the city to become an engineer in the public works department of Charlotte County, Fla. The job will be a step down for O'Kane, who has been deeply involved in talks over the future of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and most other public works projects in the city for more than a decade." .... "But most of O'Kane's time was spent battling traffic, and often, he admitted yesterday, he felt like a salmon trying to swim up a waterfall." ["Alexandria official leaves for new position in Florida", STEPHEN HENN, Journal Newspaper, 8/5/99, http://199.244.139.109/dcwww?-show:client/journal/FFX/j1999/q3/m08/t05/pa/s012/001_001_001.dcs ]

August 1999 - At two intersections, Washington, D.C. commences with the first part of its photo enforcement program, red light enforcement with red light cameras.

August 1999 - Regarding the yellow time on the lights: "The duration of yellow traffic-signal timing has been found to influence red light running at urban intersections. Therefore, yellow signal timings at the camera sites were checked against an Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) proposed recommended practice and found to be adequate." ["Evaluation of Red Light Camera Enforcement in Fairfax, Va., USA", Retting/Williams/Farmer/Feldman, ITE Journal, August 1999] (Yellow time on camera enforced lights and engineering parameters at each site not disclosed in publication. Checked by who?)

1999 - Federal funding of Howard County MD red light camera program noted: "In Howard County, motorists in one direction at a busy intersection on Little Patuxent Parkway run a red light an average of every 16 minutes. During the evening rush hour, the rate soars to every seven minutes! Fortunately, the State Legislature approved the use of red light cameras at signalized intersections so violators can be sent a ticket when they deliberately go through a red light." .... "Red light cameras can dramatically assist us in reducing the numbers of injuries and deaths resulting from red light runners. These cameras take pictures of vehicles that DELIBERATELY enter the intersection AFTER the light has turned red." .... "Howard County has completed phase I of a Federally funded "Automated Enforcement Demonstration" Project. It demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of photographic based surveillance systems to detect and record red light violators at traffic signals. Partly as a result of that study, legislation was passed by the 1997 Maryland General Assembly that authorizes Police Departments to use such technology as part of traffic law enforcement at traffic signals." .... "Phase II of the "Automated Enforcement Demonstration" Project been completed. It sought to demonstrate the feasibility of digital based red light running detection systems." .... "Because digital technology was not yet been proven, Howard County installed photographic film based cameras under a one year contract. The program was implemented on February 3, 1998, with two cameras in operation. The 25th camera became operational in August 1999. During calendar year 1998, 13,711 citations were issued and the violation rates at the monitored signals were reduced by an average rate of 48 percent. Collisions were reduced, at these signals, by an average rate of 23 percent." ["THE NEED FOR RED LIGHT RUNNING CAMERAS ", Howard County webiste, http://www.co.ho.md.us/redlight.htm , date of publication not indicated]

September 12, 1999 - Insurance safety official says IIHS people "laugh hysterically" at people who promote use of sound engineering practices: "The media goes to the NMA because it's hard to find someone who's against safety," she [Julie Rochman of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety] says. "We laugh hysterically that they could be our rivals. My impression is that they're two guys in Wisconsin." ["Activist finds the cause that drives him", Nick Sortal, Outlook, Sun-Sentinel South Florida, 9/12/1999, page 2H] (for information about NMA [National Motorists Association] visit http://motorists.org/ )

September 24, 1999 - Second Annual National Stop on Red Week commences: "U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced the results of a survey by the Stop Red Light Running partnership revealing that 98 percent of Americans agree that red light running is dangerous, but over half admit deliberately running red lights because they are in a hurry.The release of the survey marks the second annual "National Stop on Red Week," which runs from Sept. 24 to Oct. l. The program is a public/private partnership between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Trauma Society (ATS) and DaimlerChrysler Corporation." .... "The poll was conducted by the Social Science Research Center at Old Dominion University and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. It queried 880 licensed drivers ages 18 and older on behalf of the Stop Red Light Running program." ["U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater: Survey Shows Americans Run Red Lights Without Regard for Consequences", Press Release, FHWA 60-99, 9/23/99, http://www.dot.gov/affairs/1999/fhwa6099.htm ]

(If 98 percent of Americans agree that red light running is dangerous, then why do people who want red light cameras routinely reject using the prescribed engineering safety countermeasure of increasing the yellow light duration where there are documented problems?)

September 30, 1999 - Montgomery County, MD executive notes red light camera startup and related ramification$: "Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today at the launch of the "Stop On Red" campaign that installation of ten new intersection cameras to catch red light runners will be operational in the next two weeks. As a result, the County expects to issue more than 100,000 citations to violators next year. "Fatal and serious injuries resulting from failures to stop at red lights are not accidents - these injuries are entirely preventable," said Duncan." ["NEW RED LIGHT CAMERAS INSTALLED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY", MC Press Release, eb/stoponred.pr 99-350, 9/30/99]

The official hits the nail on the head as to why yellow lights should be increased when and where there are documented problems: "Fatal and serious injuries resulting from failures to stop at red lights are not accidents - these injuries are entirely preventable."

September 30, 1999 - Montgomery County elected official also board member of FHWA STOP RED LIGHT RUNNING campaign partner: "The statewide awareness campaign is spearheaded by the American Trauma Society of Maryland, the State Highway Administration and Daimler-Chrysler Corporation. Prime sponsors of the Maryland legislation (HB 227), enacted in the 1999 Maryland General Assembly, were Maryland Delegates Dana Dembrow (D-District 20) and Bill Bronrott (D-District 16), who is also a Board Member of the American Trauma Society of Maryland." ["NEW RED LIGHT CAMERAS INSTALLED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY", MC Press Release, eb/stoponred.pr 99-350, 9/30/99]

October 6, 1999 - Alexandria police official says she was not sure why people were/are "running red lights": "Other measures, such as extending the time of the yellow light and changing traffic sequences at key intersections, were implemented this year." .... "After a 1998 summer that saw nearly 2,000 citations each month, the monthly totals began to wane this year, dropping to just 270 in April." .... "Bertsch said she wasn't sure why motorists disobey the law especially in the face of such a clear warning. Many seem to ignore the warning or think they can beat the system, she said." .... "Everybody, even a child, knows red means stop," Bertsch said. "There's no way to calculate the risk of time, money and life when an accident occurs." ["Cameras catch, but don't conquer, red-light running - Red-light runners hard to deter ", IVAN SCIUPAC, Journal Newspaper, 10/6/99]

October 6, 1999 - In response to a question from a Bethesda medical doctor about yellow lights, Dr. Gridlock writes in The Washington Post: "We all face these choices in our daily driving, and they often require instantaneous decisions: to gun through the intersection, or to jam on the brakes." ..... "Officials in all jurisdictions will cite drivers for running a red light if they are in any part of an intersection when the light turns red." .... "The way people drive in this metropolitan area, it is sometimes dangerous to stop on a yellow light for fear of being rear-ended by some maniac. The instant answer to that circumstance is to go on through." ["If the Light Is Yellow, Should You Stay or Should You Go?", Ron Shaffer, Dr. Gridlock, The Washington Post, 10/6/1999]

"§ 46.2-833. Traffic lights.

A. Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows:

Steady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of the moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not already entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the intersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared. The amber signal is a warning that the steady red signal is imminent." [Excerpt, Code Of Virginia Section 46.2-833 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-833 ]

Under the provisions for the steady amber indication, the first duty in response to amber onset is to stop but, for those that can't, continue as a result and enter legally on the amber, the duty is to clear the intersection. Both of these obligations, either to stop or clear in response to amber onset as conditions warrant, exist under the amber indication provision, in which case the amber light duration itself must be long enough to allow people to comply with both requirements. There are no exceptions in the Code of Virginia whereby "continuing" vehicles, having entered legally on the amber, may clear the intersection against a steady red signal indication. The provision for a steady red indication is explicit and clear "Steady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a lighted green arrow." In the COV, exceptions to the explicit meaning of a steady red indication are explicitly identified and clearing the intersection against a steady red is not one of them.

Most jurisdictions in northern Virginia time the yellow lights so short that it's impossible for "continuing" vehicles to clear the intersection on the amber before red onset, in which case they look like "red light runners" (e.g. maniacs) and they violate the law. Often, the yellow lights are so short it is impossible to stop before red onset, in which case people not only look like "red light runners" for clearing against the red (e.g. maniacs) but for entering against the red as well....and they violate the law. The result when yellow lights are inadequate: A red light running crisis far in excess of what it otherwise would be, unnecessary intersection conflicts, some people "jamming on the brakes" while others "gun to get through", 60-70% of people admitting they are "red light runners" even though 98% of people say its dangerous and, finally, the need for red light cameras.

October 12, 1999 - Fairfax County gives red light camera go ahead. Big profits projected: "County supervisors gave final approval to the pilot program yesterday by awarding a three-year contract to Lockheed Martin IMS to install and maintain the cameras. Police employees will process the photographs and send tickets." .... "The county estimates that the cameras will catch 333,000 red-light runners during the next three years. If that proves true, the program would bring in about $13 million in fines, more than enough to cover the $6.7 million cost of running the program, officials said." ["Fairfax to Install 10 Stoplight Cameras", Michael D. Shear, Washington Post, 10/12/1999]

October 15, 1999 - Yellow time at US50 and Fair Ridge in Fairfax County, VA shortened from 5.50 to 4.00 seconds (after an accident as per Mena Lockwood of VDOT).

November 1999 - Despite red light camera enforcement since July 1997, Oxnard, CA increases yellow times to address alarming accident problems: "But Oxnard, owner of 10 of the county's top 15 most dangerous intersections, claimed the next five spots." ..... "Oxnard decided to tackle that and other traffic problems a few months ago by extending the duration of yellow lights from 4 to 4.3 seconds on roads where traffic travels more than 40 mph." ..... ""A car can travel a long distance in 0.3 seconds," Genovese [Joseph Genovese, Oxnard's traffic engineer] said, noting that the changes were made on the recommendation of the state Department of Transportation. "When the light turns yellow, people make a decision about how hard to brake and still feel comfortable," he said. "This allows them a longer deceleration time." ["Thousand Oaks Intersection Worst In County: Hillcrest Drive and Moorpark Road was the most dangerous corner with 29 accidents. Oxnard racked up 10 slots on the CHP's top 15 list.", Catherine Blake, Los Angeles Times, Ventura County Edition, 11/29/99]

November 1999 - Vienna, VA Town Council Member comments on performance of three red light cameras (before yellow lights increased and other engineering countermeasures implemented): "Currently, we are issuing as many citations in a week as we did in one year before the photo red light system was installed." [Vienna Newsletter, Comments from the Council Table, Mike Polychrones, November 1999]

November 1999 - AAA study reveals that engineering solutions work: "To Feder's surprise, redesigning the intersections also reduced red light running." ..... "Feder thinks that an engineering safety audit should be conducted before installing red light cameras."We have to make sure that the motorist has every fair chance of stopping before we ever put up a camera. Some intersections are designed so motorists tend to violate the red - we can reduce that through engineering rather than enforcement." ["AAA MICHIGAN PROGRAM PREVENTS CRASHES, ONE INTERSECTION AT A TIME", AAA PROGRESS REPORT NOV/DEC 1999: http://www.aaafts.org/pdf/NovDec99.pdf ]

November 1999 - Montgomery County MD commences red light camera enforcement.

December 15, 1999 - Montgomery County, MD official identifies problem and declares initial red light camera success: "The failure of drivers to stop at red lights has caused too many unnecessary and preventable injuries and deaths," said Duncan. "It is our hope that through more aggressive enforcement and stricter punishments for convicted red-light runners, we will reduce the number of accidents." ["DUNCAN ANNOUNCES INITIAL SUCCESS OF RED LIGHT ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS", MC Press Release, eb/cameras.pr 99-436, 12/15/99]

December 16, 1999 - Montgomery County, MD officials further identify problem: "So far, the numbers prove we have a serious problem," Weaver [county spokesperson] said. "We'll jump up and down with joy when the numbers go down, not up." ... "Officer Derek Baliles, a Montgomery County Police spokesman, said the intersections are chosen on the basis of citizen and officer input as well as the number of accidents linked to red-light running at the location. "These are not necessarily the worst intersections," Baliles said. "They just seem to have a lot of red-light runners." " ["Cameras give motorists the red eye", TERRY LANE, Journal Newspaper, 12/16/99]

January 2000 - Dispelling a conventional myth by camera promoters, prevailing speeds of traffic (e.g. 85th percentile speeds) remain virtually unchanged in California after increasing speed limits: "In 1995 and 1996, after revocation of the national maximum speed limit (NMSL), California raised the limits on approximately 6,000 miles of roads." .... "There is no evidence that the increased speed limits in California compromised the general level of traffic safety in the state." One reason for this surprising effect is that actual travel speeds did not change much: The average 85th percentile speed increased by only one or two miles per hour." ["Higher Speed limits Don't Raise Crashes, Study Shows", Progress Report, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Volume 7 Number 1, JAN/FEB 2000]

February 4, 2000 - FHWA says Red light Cameras Work: "A report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration shows that red light running violations decreased by as much as 60 percent at intersections where cameras automatically enforce the law. The report analyzed results of red light running camera programs in Los Angeles County; San Francisco; New York City; Howard County, Md.; and Polk County, Fla." ["Automated Cameras Work-FHWA Study Finds Red Light Running Violations Down 60 Percent", Press Release, FHWA 9-00, 2/24/00, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0009.htm ]

But wait a minute: "Automated enforcement is also being applied to intersections to detect drivers who run red lights and violate rail crossing warnings. Proper and Chaslow (1997) reported that using cameras to detect red-light violations resulted in a reduction in violations of 30% in San Francisco; 23% in Howard County, Maryland; and 20% in New York City." ["Expected Safety Benefits of Implementing Intelligent Transportation Systems in Virginia: A Synthesis of the Literature", FHWA/VTRC 99-R2, Jack D. Jernigan, Senior Research Scientist, Virginia Transportation Research Council, July 1998] http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/99-r2.pdf

Ref: [Proper, A. & Cheslow, M. (1997) "ITS Benefits: Continuing Successes and Operational Test Results", FHWA-JPO-98-002) Wahsington D.C.; Federal highway Administration]

But wait a minute: "The measured reduction in red light running violations at intersections where cameras have been operational for six months varies from 20 percent to nearly 24 percent."......"The measured reduction in red light running violations remain constant as the cameras are operated for longer periods of time." ["City of San Diego Enforcement System Review Final Report", PB Farradyne Inc., January 14, 2002, Chapter 2 "Red light Running and Accidents", page 8] (NOTE: There are strong indications that the reductions in violations noted included those from increasing the yellow at 6 of the 19 intersections. Don't forget that California has some of the harshest penalties in the USA for red light camera tickets.)

"Allan Fromberg, assistant commissioner, public information of the New York City Department of Transportation, disagrees. He says safety has been enhanced because of the cameras. He says the number of red light violations at 18 locations where the red light cameras are installed has been cut by 15 percent to 20 percent." ..... "New York City began the program with 12 cameras in the five boroughs in December 1993." ["1,2,3 red light", Ray Hitchcock, Overdrive, July 1996, Volume 36, Issue 7, p51] (30 months after commencing red light camera enforcement)

"People still aren't stopping, and it's a dangerous location,"police spokeswoman Amy Bertsch said of the intersection. "Pedestrians have been struck trying to cross that intersection." ["Clicking Away at Red-Light Runners",

Patricia Davis, The Washington Post, 10/8/98] (Alexandria PD spokesperson describing ops at Patrick/Gibbon 10 months after commencing red light camera enforcement)

"Despite clear warnings at intersections equipped with red light cameras, more than 78,000 fines were issued last year. This is an increase of more than 3,000 on the previous year. "To see so many people fined for disobeying red lights shows motorists are not getting the message and have a total lack of respect for the dangers associated with red light running," Sorrenson [Chief Superintendent Ron Sorrenson, New South Wales most senior traffic policeman] told Drive. "It beggars belief that after so many years and with clear signposting that we are still catching this number of people." ["Traffic-light runners in the red zone", Sydney Morning Herald, August 11, 2000]

"But Baliles [Montgomery County police spokesperson] said the intersection does not require a red-light camera, and that cameras may not be as powerful a deterrent as people think. The number of citations has increased at intersections that had a camera for two consecutive years, he said." ["River Road crash sparks call for a red-light camera", Scott Herbstman, Gazette Newspaper, 11/14/01] (24 months after commencing red light camera enforcement)

"Well, the red light cameras are doing what we want. It is frustrating that our numbers continue to go up, so we're hoping at some point the message goes out and people change their behavior." [At 52:17 into the broadcast, Chief Charles Moose in response to a question about how the cameras are doing, "Ask The Chief"; Featuring Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose, WTOP Radio 3/15/2002] (28 months after start of rlc enforcement in Montgomery County)

February 7, 2000 - IIHS transportation researcher comments about red light runners: "Red-light runners don't creep through the intersection," he [Retting] said. "They blow through there at a high speed." ["'Using Cameras to Catch Traffic Violators May Face Uphill Battle", Ken Leiser, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/7/00]

February 7, 2000 - Missouri DOT Director describes intersection operations and says maybe its time for red light cameras: "Missouri Department of Transportation Director Henry Hungerbeeler said it might be high time to use cameras here to expose the motorists who blow past red lights on our city streets. "Drivers running through red lights have reached epidemic numbers," Hungerbeeler said at a conference last month. "Sometimes, on my way home, I can't get through a green light before it turns red again because so many drivers are running the red light." ..... "On the other hand, the national group Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released the results of a survey in September that found 74 percent of respondents favor the use of these cameras. In a companion report, the group called on states to pass laws permitting wider use of the photo-enforcement systems and empower police to cite people by mail." ["USING CAMERAS TO CATCH TRAFFIC VIOLATORS MAY FACE UPHILL BATTLE", Ken Leiser, St. Louis Post - Dispatch, 2/7/2000]

Polling to gauge the results of a massive public relations campaign?:

"At about the same time, a series of red-light fatalities in State College, Pa., alarmed one of its residents, Tom Larson, who just happened to run the Federal Highway Administration. "I asked our people to start looking seriously for a way we could minimize this behavior," Larson said. What resulted was a slick package of audio, video and written materials for launching local safety campaigns, plus $15,000 grants to help get the campaigns started." .... "Mila Plosky, who manages the highway administration's [FHWA's] safety outreach, credited the program for making people aware of the red-light running problem and laying a foundation for approval of camera enforcement. "Public acceptance is not there without the (public relations effort)," she said. ["Caught In A Flash", Steve Emmons, The Los Angeles Times, 9/3/98]

March 3, 2000 - Description of "red light runners" counted by IIHS under dangerously inadequate four second yellow light at US50 and Fillmore in Arlington, VA (Yellow increased in August 1997, after the counts): "The deliberate running of red lights is a common - and a serious - violation. Institute researchers measuring the frequency of this offense during several months at a busy intersection in Arlington County, Virginia, found a red light runner every 12 minutes on average - every 5 minutes during the peak travel time between 8 and 9 a.m. This adds up to more than 100 chances each day for an unsuspecting motorists or pedestrian to become a crash victim at just one intersection." ["Statement before the Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee - On red light violations and red light cameras", Richard A. Retting, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 3/9/2000, page 1]

March 9, 2000 - "Institute researchers used red light cameras in Arlington, VA, for about three years. More than 30,000 violators were recorded, but no citations were issued because the work was conducted for research purposes only. (4) The camera systems have been extremely accurate and reliable. They have required virtually no maintenance. The same equipment subsequently was installed at two intersections in Howard County, Maryland, to help police and traffic engineers evaluate the extent of red light running and the feasibility of using red light cameras to help enforce traffic laws. Results confirmed that violations are frequent and red light cameras function well." ["Statement before the Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee - On red light violations and red light cameras", Richard A. Retting, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 3/9/2000, page 2]

March 9, 2000 - Virginia State Traffic Engineer states VDOT yellow timing policy as follows "Unless there are extenuating circumstances, all clearance times used by VDOT are reflected in the length of the yellow signal and "all-red" intervals are generally used in addition to the normal clearance time. In no cases does VDOT use all-red intervals to replace the standard clearance times." [Letter by Ilona Kastenhofer, State Traffic Engineer, Commonwealth of Virginia, 3/9/00, Ref: Signal Timings/Clearance Times/Photo Enforcement]

March 9, 2000 - Red Light Camera lobbyists imply fairness in red light camera enforcement by way of red "grace" camera settings: "Connected to the traffic signal and to sensors buried in the roadway, these cameras are triggered to photograph vehicles passing over the sensors after a light has been red for a predetermined time, so only unequivocal violations are recorded." ["Statement before the Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee - On red light violations and red light cameras", Richard Retting, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, March 9, 2000]

Nevertheless to promote cameras, counting all violations after red onset (e.g no red "grace"), "red light runners" were counted by IIHS at US50 and Fillmore in Arlington under a dangerously inadequate four second yellow light (later increased): "A study conducted over several months at two busy intersections in Arlington, Virginia (an urban area outside Washington, D.C.), indicates that motorists frequently run red lights." ........ "This total includes vehicles that entered any time after onset of a red signal." ["Red-Light Running and Sensible Countermeasures", section "Frequency of Red-Light Running", p23, Retting/Williams/Greene, Transportation Research Record 1640, Paper No.98-0895][R.A. Retting and A.F. Williams, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1005 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. M.A. Greene, User Technology Associates, 4301 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201]

"Now, operations vary, Tabacek [Eric Tabacek, division chief for the office of traffic and safety for the MD State Highway Administration] said. In some counties, for example, there is a grace period of a few tenths of a second after the light turns red and the camera flashes, catching the rear of the car and the license plate in its photo. Other counties, such as Prince George's, offer no such grace period." ["Red Light Cameras To Be Standardized", Annie Gowen, The Washington Post, 5/9/2002]

"The length of the yellow signal is important," said Richard A. Retting, senior transportation engineer for the Insurance Institute. But giving a driver a half-second or a second more yellow isn't going to change the dangerous trend, he said. "A fraction of a second doesn't make that much difference. This is not about splitting hairs." ["City Officials Defend Traffic Systems as Fair; Bringing a Halt To Running Red Lights", Robin Franzen, Oregonian, 6/13/01]

April 3, 2000 - Alexandria, VA official informs Mayor and Council that "traffic signalization changes" at Seminary/Nottingham and also Patrick/Gibbon dramatically reduced violations, but no mention of yellow increases and staff can't figure out what happened: "Red light violations have decreased at the three intersections, although staff cannot attribute how much of the decrease in violations is due to the red light camera program (there were changes in traffic signalization at the Seminary & Nottingham and Patrick & Gibbon intersections, for instance, that appeared to significantly lower red light camera violations at those intersections)." [City of Alexandria MEMORANDUM, 4/3/2000, TO:THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, FROM:PHILIP SUNDERLAND, CITY MANAGER, SUBJECT: BUDGET MEMO #10: RED LIGHT CAMERA (COUNCIL WOMAN PEPPER'S REQUEST)

April 16, 2000 - San Diego: "The number of violations at the intersections is going down, and that's because people are preparing to stop as opposed to preparing to speed up when the light turns yellow," said Sgt. Terry McManus, a spokesman for San Diego's red light enforcement program." .... "At busy intersections, studies have shown red lights are run as often as every 10 minutes. "This creates a Russian roulette for the driver," Retting said. "In many cases, running a red light will not have a consequence to it. But when it does, it can be a catastrophe." .... "It's too early to determine if San Diego's program has reduced traffic accidents." .... "Before the cameras are put into place, city engineers make sure the lights are timed correctly, giving motorists adequate time to stop, given the speed limit of the road." .... ""That's one of the beauties of the program," said Dana King, vice president of marketing for Lockheed Martin IMS. "The violators are paying for the program. (The city) gets a traffic safety program and they don't have to incur the costs." .... "If you believe in black helicopters coming down in the middle of the night the you're going to think anything is suspect," King said. "There is an integrity to the contract with the city and tothe court of law."" ["Smile and Say Fees - Cameras catching on for catching red-light runners", Jenifer Hanrahan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/16/2000]

April 2000 - Vienna VA. Yellow increases on Vienna, VA traffic signals, including those at red light camera sites, noted.

April 26, 2000 - In Cupertino, CA, Lockheed Martin official reveals "red light running" frequency, not accidents, is deciding factor when selecting red light camera sites: "Council members asked that the location of the cameras be reviewed by the Public Safety Commission before the seven intersections are officially finalized. "All the others look like on-ramps and off-ramps for the freeway and these don't really get at the traffic that's crossing our community in other places," Mayor John Statton said. "I love the idea of ticketing people that are coming in and out of the community, but I don't think it solves the problem we've got along Stevens Creek and Homestead and De Anza." Lockheed Martin Project Manager John Flynn said a statistical rate of red-light runners was the deciding factor in the choice of the seven intersections." ["City says 'smile' to stoplight runners", Jeff Kearns, Cupertino Courier, 4/26/2000]

May 19, 2000 - Washington Post reveals DC "Gotcha" red light camera installation. DC later "forgives" "violators" but does not give money back: "At one point, it generated $10,000 a day in fines, snapping pictures of dozens of drivers who were caught in the act. But now it turns out that the most active camera in the District's war against red-light runners--billing $1.5 million in just over six months--is a high-tech trap for motorists. Perched on the H Street bridge in Northeast Washington, just off the busy North Capitol Street corridor, the camera set up by Lockheed Martin IMS patrols an intersection that isn't an intersection and monitors a traffic light that isn't a conventional traffic light. Sid Davis, who was "caught" in the act back in November, calls it "an ambush light." .... ""I don't think I can go back over the year and retry each one of those cases in theory," said Executive Assistant Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer. "The truth of the matter is that people were running the red light, but I believe we can clarify how we ought to regulate traffic over there." [Seeing Red Over 'Gotcha' Camera", Arthur Santana, The Washington Post, 5/19/00]

"More than 13,000 motorists who were photographed running a red light on the H Street bridge in Northeast Washington will have the two points they incurred on their driver's licenses dropped, police said yesterday." ..... "About 13,000 motorists who paid the $75 fine after being photographed running red lights at the confusing intersection are out of luck in one sense. They won't get their money back. But city officials decided yesterday to remove the two points added to their licenses for the offense." ["Red-Light Infractions Forgiven", Arthur Santana, The Washington Post, 6/7/00]

June 1, 2000 - Vienna, VA plans for three more cameras reported: "A year after Vienna became the nation's first jurisdiction to nab red-light runners with a video enforcement system, town officials like it so much they're adding three more units, and the City of Falls Church plans to have the same system operating by the end of the month." ... "Boring said the system eventually will pay for itself. Traffic citations for red-light violations issued by Vienna police have skyrocketed over the past year, from fewer than 300 to about 3,000, and Boring said the department is hiring an officer who sole duty will be to monitor the system." ["Interest in red-light taping increases", JOANN KELLY, Journal Newspaper, 6/1/2000]

June 13, 2000 - VDOT official describes dangerous operations at a Fairfax County intersections where lights on most high speed approaches have just four seconds of yellow: "Standing on one corner, Mr. White [Jeris White, VDOT northern Virginia signal supervisor] offers running sports-style commentary on the traffic flow, groaning occasionally at a bad move. "The truck is going to tun the red!", he shouts. "The truck ran the red!"" ["Stopped at a Light? Why Not Read This, You May Have Time", Anna Wilde Mathews, Wall Street Journal, 6/13/2000]

June 15, 2000 - "As for the notion that the company has an incentive to see the number of violations increase, Lynam [Terry Lynam, Lockheed Martin IMS spokesman] called that "totally ridiculous". Lynam noted that police are asked to select the locations for the devices; they typically base those decisions on accident rates." ["Cameras On red Alert", Matthew Mosk, Washington Post, 6/15/2000]

"Lockheed Martin Project Manager John Flynn said a statistical rate of red-light runners was the deciding factor in the choice of the seven intersections." ["City says 'smile' to stoplight runners", Jeff Kearns, Cupertino Courier, 4/26/2000]

June 2000 - Despite notices to VDOT and other officials regarding inadequate yellow light problems, no increases to yellow lights happen at signals in Fairfax County that eventually came to have cameras. All lights that eventually came to have cameras, of which there were ten, have uniform four second yellow lights. All are on high-speed approaches and all are multilane commuter routes with significant volumes. Most of the approaches are downhill to one degree or another. Three of the yellow lights at camera sites are later increased after cameras were installed, activated and operated for enforcement but, after violations dropped dramatically at the three places where the yellow was increased, VDOT decided not to increase the yellow lights at any of the other seven camera locations. Red light camera enforcement continued instead.

June 21, 2000 - Fairfax County, VA official notes coordination with VDOT regarding Fairfax County's red light camera program: "The first [camera] is the critical one," said Bruce W. Taylor, who supervises the county's photo red-light program. The state highway department "will look over the construction plan we have and let us know what we need to do better," he said." ["County Has Eye on Red-light Scofflaws", Robert White, Journal Newspaper, 6/21/2000]

July 6, 2000 - Montgomery County, MD officials admit disappointing results from red light camera enforcement and say more time is needed: "But in the eight months the program has been in place in Montgomery County, there has been no significant decrease in the number of citations mailed out to those whose cars are caught by the cameras, police said." ... "It may take longer before the numbers drop, said Michael Kinney, an engineer in the traffic and parking services division of the Department of Public Works and Transportation." ["Right on time to risk a fine", SARAH BRUMFIELD, Journal Newspaper, 7/6/00] (7 months after starting red light camera enforcement)

July 12, 2000 - Major five-car rear-end pile up with life threatening injuries happens at US50 and Manchester in Arlington, VA under a fast changing four second yellow light. [Approach is multilane, downhill with posted speed limit 45 MPH (85th percentile speed estimated at 50+ mph free flow)] US50 shut down for several hours and HOV lifted on many northern Virginia routes. (NOTE: US50 and Manchester is virtually identical in character to US50 and Fillmore in Arlington, where IIHS deemed the four second yellow adequate despite counting an alarming and dangerous number of "red light runners" between NOV94-MAR95, a yellow that was later increased.) (Yellow at US50 and Manchester increased from 4.00 seconds to 4.50 seconds sometime after 7/13/00 but before 1/27/01, although exact date is not available from Arlington. Also, a red light camera was installed in 2001 after the yellow increase, confirming the inadequacy of the increase to 4.50 seconds)

By comparison at US50 and Fair Ridge Dr. in Fairfax County (a virtually identical intersection) where the yellow was increased from 4.00 to 5.50 seconds: "The Virginia Department of Transportation found when it increased the yellow time at one of the state's red light camera intersections [US50 and Fair Ridge Drive], red light running dropped to almost nothing. " ["Forced To Run The Red?", Elaine Murphy, KOIN News, Beaverton, Oregon, 5/16/2001]

"Approaches experiencing speeds of 35 mph or higher are considered high speed approaches. If the yellow interval commences while the vehicle is in a "dilemma zone" (zone of indecision), it may be difficult for the driver to decide whether to stop or proceed across the intersection. An abrupt stop may produce a rear-end collision. The decision to go through on the red, may produce a right-angle accident." ["Traffic Control Devices Handbook, FHWA, USDOT, 1983, page 4-29]

Regarding yellow time: "If the interval is too short, rear end collisions may result." [Traffic Engineering Handbook, Fifth Edition, p 481, Institute of Transportation Engineers, c1999]

July 12, 2000 - Red Light Camera Advocate Describes Dangerous Washington, DC intersection and admits red light cameras can cause dangerous conditions: ""I actually feel uncomfortable walking outside my door," said Sheikh [Lisa Sheikh, Executive Director, Partnership for Safe Driving], who lives a half block away from the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Calvert Street NW. "There are so many cars speeding past, and before you can cross the street you have to wait for all of the red-light runners to go through." ..... "But on June 30, Sheikh was back at the intersection that had spurred the formation of the partnership. And things had only gotten worse. Thirty minutes earlier, a motorist, apparently trying to beat a red light on Connecticut Avenue, had crashed into a group of people, killing a toddler being pushed in his stroller and a woman walking nearby." .... "Sheikh believes red-light cameras should be installed at every major intersection. However, she acknowledges that in some cases such cameras have caused motorists to actually speed up to keep from being caught in an intersection when the light turns red or to suddenly slam on the brakes when the light turns yellow." ["Accident Confirms Activist's Fears", Courtland Milloy, The Washington Post, July 12, 2000]

July 13, 2000 - Arizona targeted for red light cameras: "Arizona has the nation's deadliest red-light runners and three of the country's worst cities for fatal intersection crashes, according to a study of federal transportation data obtained by USA TODAY." .... "Red-light running "is one of the most dangerous forms of aggressive driving," said Richard Retting, an analyst with the institute [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]. "People are either ignoring lights or going too fast to stop in time," he said." .... "According to the institute's study, Phoenix drivers run red lights at an unrivaled pace. The city has by far the nation's deadliest rate of fatal red-light-running crashes -- nearly five times the national average. ["Arizona Has Deadliest Red-Light Runners In USA", Scott Bowles, USA Today, 7/13/00]

July 13, 2000 - Oxnard, CA police official weighs in about red light cameras: " "It's a wonderful deterrent," said Tom Cady, assistant police chief of Oxnard, Calif. Oxnard, one of the nation's first cities to implement red-light cameras, has three cameras that are rotated among 10 intersections. Cady said that since the city implemented the program in 1996, intersection crashes have dropped 40%." ["Arizona Has Deadliest Red-Light Runners In USA", Scott Bowles, USA Today, 7/13/00]

"I would have to say that the cameras themselves have not reduced the number of (injury) collisions that have happened at these intersections," said Elizabeth Yard, an analyst with the San Diego Police Department's traffic division. -- San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/2/01

July 13, 2000 - "Red light running is more than just a form of aggressive driving. People are dying and getting hurt needlessly because of it," said Ed Rust Jr., chairman of the institute and chief executive of State Farm Insurance, in a written statement." ["Running Red, Running Dead", 'Bob Orr, CBS News, 7/13/00]

"The small town of Vienna, Va. has gone one step further, using video cameras. The computerized system not only captures pictures of the violator, it also provides a safety barrier by freezing all of the intersection‚s lights on red so as to prevent collisions." ["Running Red, Running Dead", 'Bob Orr, CBS News, 7/13/00]

July 13, 2000 - Deadly Arizona: "Arizona is by far the most dangerous state for red-light-related deaths, the institute [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety] says. Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson are the first, third and fourth-most-deadly metro areas, with Memphis, Tenn., squeezing in at second. Most red light running occurs during rush hours, when the standard pace of one red-light runner every 12 minutes at an intersection drops to one car every five minutes, Rochman [Julie Rochman, IIHS] said. „Everybody‚s in a hurry and it‚s just kind of a me-first attitude,‰ said Laura Rightenburg of the Arizona branch of the Automobile Association of America." ["Not Seeing Red; Light-Running Kills, New Study Says", Sascha Segan, ABC News, 7/13/00]

July 16, 2000 - "Every 12 minutes at a typical traffic signal, a driver sees red but does green." ["Brake for red Lights", Editorial, Washington Post, 7/16/00]

July 16, 2000 - Insurance company people talk about morals and accuse people driving of stealing: "To most people, stealing is a moral issue. It's ingrained in people. People would feel guilty about shoplifting," said Allan F. Williams, a researcher with the Insurance Institute for Highway safety. "I don't see the same thing on the highway. If I run a red light when there's no one to contend with, that's not considered much of anything." Indeed, his institute recently studied the intersection of Route 50 and Fillmore Street in Arlington County for several months and found that drivers go through a red light an average of once every 12 minutes -- and every five minutes during the peak 8 a.m. hour. ["Guilty, But Feeling Guilt-Free", Alan Sipress & Josh White, The Washington Post, 7/16/2000] [NOTE: No mention of yellow increase on 8/1/97 as per Arlington County, after red light runners were counted by IIHS, or the results from increasing it.]

Why weren't the lights in Alexandria corrected in the first place, when camera site selection was underway and before actual red light camera enforcement and the issuance of citations commenced?

"State Sen. Steve Peace injected himself yesterday into San Diego's raging battle over red-light traffic cameras. Standing at North Harbor Drive and Grape Street, Peace contended the bustling intersection near Lindbergh Field has been armed with a camera by the city "to make money, not to reduce accidents." .... "It shows that more than 25,000 citations have been issued by a red-light camera at that intersection for the past 18 months, generating more than $6.8 million in fines. And, at that intersection, the city cited one-fourth of the 107,000 motorists caught by its 18 red-light cameras. However, data from the same time, he said, show no accident reduction." ["Peace Calls Traffic Camera 'CASH COW'", Mark Arner, San Diego Union Tribune, 5/5/2001] ($6.8 million in 18 months equals $12,500.00 per day)

July 27, 2000 - "For months after her collision, Frances M. Smith continued to have visions of the bicyclist who ran a red light and crossed in front of her Dodge Shadow on Independence Avenue." .... "Between 20 percent and 40 percent of people involved in serious motor vehicle accidents have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which can include flashbacks, sleeping problems, panic attacks and emotional numbness, said psychologist Edward B. Blanchard, who has written extensively about car accidents." ["Surviving Drivers Suffer Despite Being Innocent", Brroke A. Masters, Washington Post, 7/27/00]

July 29, 2000 - Prince George's County MD red light cameras active: "Almost 2,000 red-light runners have been nabbed on video in Prince George's County since the cameras went into operation in April, and officials said the $75 ticket price could mean $150,000 in revenue for the county." ["Raking It In From Red-Light Runners", Metro in Brief, Washington Post, 7/29/00]

July 30, 2000 - Montgomery County elected official speaks: "Twenty years ago, it was rare to see someone run a red light in Montgomery County. Now it's a common sight." .... "Since October cameras at 10 county intersections have caught more than 20,000 drivers running red lights. Montgomery County has more than 700 intersections with traffic lights, so those 20,000 scofflaws represent a small fraction of red-light runners." ["We Aim to Make Reckless Driving Rare", Phil Andrews, Montgomery County Council, Letters, The Washington Post, 7/30/2000]

July 31, 2000 - Camera/Safety Advocate Speaks: "We do not subscribe to the 85th percentile rule. Thank you anyway for your concern, although it seems to be focused more on protecting dangerous drivers than safe drivers. Sincerely, Lisa Sheik, Executive Director, The Partnership for Safe Driving" [Email message from Crashprevention@aol.com dated 7/31/00]

July 31, 2000 - In response to a message regarding safety elements of adequate yellow duration timing, camera advocate speaks: "We do not subscribe to the 85th percentile rule. Thank you anyway for your concern, although it seems to be focused more on protecting dangerous drivers than safe drivers. Sincerely, Lisa Sheik, Executive Director, The Partnership for Safe Driving" [Email message from Crashprevention@aol.com dated 7/31/00]

Engineers speak: "3. Rationale for Consistent Speed Zone Guidelines - .... A third rationale is the need for consistency between the speed limit and other traffic control devices. Signal timing and sight distance requirements, for example, should be based on the prevailing speed of traffic. If these values are based on a speed limit that does not reflect the prevailing speed of traffic, safety might be compromised." ........"4. Recommended Practice - .... It is recommended that the engineering study include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles. It is further recommended that the speed limit within speed zone be set at the nearest 5 mph increment to the 85th percentile speed or the upper limit of the 10 mph pace." ["Speed Zone Guidelines - A proposed Recommended Practice", Institute of Transportation Engineers", 1993]

Law Enforcement officials speak: "Selective enforcement is enforcement which is proportional to traffic accidents with respect to time, place and type of violation." [Introduction...page 1] ..... "Prima facia posted speed limits are ordinarily set according to the "85th percentile" technique. Table 2.1 illustrates a mathematical formula for deriving the 85th percentile from speed measurement studies. The engineering philosophy behind this approach is that 85 percent of all drivers will travel at safe speeds considering the road environment (surface, lane widths, cross traffic and weather). A large majority of the remaining 15 percent will exceed the posted prima facia limits by tolerable limits (5 to 8 MPH), leaving only a relatively small number of drivers traveling at truly dangerous speeds." [page 21] ..... "If sustained radar enforcement (one to two weeks on a citizen complaint and one to two months on a high accident route) fails to markedly reduce the number of violations, the help of a traffic engineer should be obtained." [page 22] .... "Some officers assigned to radar enforcement without explicit assignment directions will maintain their productivity levels by "milking" locations (i.e., radar enforcement for brief periods in areas which generate moderately high speed patterns for many years). This technique is not selective enforcement and it should be discouraged by traffic supervisors." [page 22] [ [SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT MANUAL, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc., Highway Safety Division, USDOT NHTSA, DOT HS-800 701]

July 31, 2000 - Sacramento resident describes intersection operations: "There's nothing more frightening or maddening than seeing someone run a red light and it's happening much more often. It's a rare day that I don't see someone run a red light." .... "Raising the cost of the ticket has done nothing and cameras don't seem to deter people. Have people become so irresponsible and in such a hurry that they will not only put their life, but someone else's life, on the line to make the light? This needs to stop before more people are injured or killed." ["Red Light Runners", Randy Farrens, Sacramento, Letters, Sacramento Bee, 7/31/2000]

August 1, 2000 - Howard Melamid, editor of Coralsprings.com in Broward County, Florida, upset over death of three year old in a recent accident, commences efforts to get Broward County to improve change interval signal timings in Broward County, Florida: "A 3 year old girl was killed on Monday of this week, on the corner of Atlantic Blvd and Coral Springs Drive by a driver running a red light. (click here for Sun Sentinel Article) {SPECIAL NOTE:WebLink has expired}. You see it all the time in Coral Springs. The light turns red and another driver steps on the gas and flies through the intersection indifferent to the other motorists now making their way into the intersection. These bad drivers put our lives at risk just because they are in a rush...to go where? Running the red light is very common in Coral Springs. If you stand at any major intersection you will see it, even at the corner of Royal Palm and Coral Springs Drive, just down the street from the police station. There seems to be no end in sight for this problem that causes a majority of the accidents in Coral Springs. Can our streets ever be safe? The answer is yes, but attitudes have to change and government must be convinced that this is an important issue." .... "The City Commissioners can make this their priority and demand that the Broward County Traffic Engineering Department introduce a 3 second delay from the time the light turns red in one direction to the green in the other. This forces a delay in the movement of traffic and will reduce the accident level. Broward County has a 20 million dollar computer system to handle the traffic lights, so why not put it to work. It is simple for them to add the delay in the changing of the lights." ... "The worse situation is one in which everyone tolerates running the red light, by saying that nothing can be done." [ http://coralsprings.com/article1/ACCIDENTS/redlightindex.htm ]

Visit the link and watch people "run red lights" by design in Coral Springs, Florida: "Coralsprings.com spent 1 hour at the corner of Atlantic and University Drive. Every 2nd light change another car went through the red light. The one case that we are showing above is when at least 5 cars went through at the same time." ["ACCIDENTS ARE BROWARD COUNTY'S FAULT?" http://coralsprings.com/article1/ACCIDENTS/redlightindex.htm ]

August 11, 2000 - Australian police official admits red light cameras not working as IIHS officials in USA claimed they would: "Despite clear warnings at intersections equipped with red light cameras, more than 78,000 fines were issued last year. This is an increase of more than 3,000 on the previous year. "To see so many people fined for disobeying red lights shows motorists are not getting the message and have a total lack of respect for the dangers associated with red light running," Sorrenson [Chief Superintendent Ron Sorrenson, New South Wales most senior traffic policeman] told Drive. "It beggars belief that after so many years and with clear signposting that we are still catching this number of people." ["Traffic-light runners in the red zone", Sydney Morning Herald, August 11, 2000]

August 11, 2000 - "Unlike NSW [New South Wales], the US study found the cameras have reduced red-light running by 40 percent. "Red-light cameras are not the only solution, but they probably are the best solution," said Brian O'Neill, president of the institute [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety], which is funded by insurance companies." ["Traffic-light runners in the red zone", Sydney Morning Herald, August 11, 2000]

August 21, 2000 - In response to a letter regarding news reports that red light cameras were not reducing violations and yellow lights may be contributing to the problem, Montgomery County Police Chief says yellow lights were checked for compliance with national standards: "I referred your concerns to Lieutenant William H. Kanham, Deputy Director of the Special Operations Division and manager of the "Photo Red Light Enforcement Project". Lieutenant Lanham advises that all of the intersections where photo enforcement cameras are placed have been reviewed for compliance with national transportation design standards for traffic signal clearance timing. I am informed that the Department of Public Works & Transportation, which is responsible for traffic signals in Montgomery County, utilizes these same standards at all signalized intersections." [Letter by Charles A. Moose, Ph.D., Chief of Police, cc to Mr. Duncan, County Executive, 8/21/2000]

September 2000 (+/-) - Santa Rosa, CA quietly removes red light cameras and city officials forget to tell city council. News report mentions longer yellow lights and not enough violators: "The cameras designed to capture photos of red-light runners in Santa Rosa -- a program unveiled with great fanfare three years ago -- were quietly removed last summer." ... "Removal of the cameras without public notice surprised even one City Council member." ... "In the three years the cameras were operational, red-light citations went from 179 in 1997, when there were some technical glitches with the equipment, to 628 in 1998 and 447 in 1999. There were only 80 citations in the first six months of last year [2000] before the cameras were removed. Police and traffic experts aren't sure whether drivers became more careful because of the fear of getting caught on camera or the worry about hefty fines. There also are longer yellow lights at some intersections. Or, police say, the drop may be due to some other reason." ["Exposed: SR red-light cameras empty - Police removed equipment six months ago because of high cost", LORI A. CARTER, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, 3/29/2001]

September 14, 2000 - In response to a follow up letter noting that national standards specify lengthening the yellow light when red signal violations are unacceptable, Montgomery County Police Chief writes "I wish to thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention, however they are of a technical nature and will require response from the Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT). They are the agency responsible for operation of the traffic signals utilized with our photo enforcement efforts. I will forward copies of our correspondence to them for their information. I should note that the community has demonstrated a favorable reception towards the "Photo Red Light Enforcement Project" and it is expected to have a positive impact on traffic safety within Montgomery County." [Letter by Charles A. Moose, Ph.D., Chief of Police, 9/14/2000]

September 2000 - Phoenix officials respond to IIHS red light study: "People who run red lights cause thousands of accidents, and tragically, hundreds of deaths each year. In fact, according to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Phoenix ranked among the worst cities in the United States for red-light running. I and my colleagues on the Phoenix City Council take public safety issues very seriously. That is why we recently approved an effort to implement a photo red light enforcement program in Phoenix, similar to the successful red-light running programs in Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe. By the end of the year, certain Phoenix intersections will be equipped with photo red light cameras." ["Councilman Greg Stanton's Arcadia News Column September 2000", http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/DISTLTRS/d60009.html ]

October 2000 - At a light with inadequate yellow time (later increased) and using a red "grace" camera setting of zero (also later increased), Fairfax County, VA commences red light camera enforcement by activating a camera at RT7 and Towlston Road.

Fairfax County, VA Red Light Camera Program manager describes the dangerous conditions under the inadequate four second yellow light at RT7 and Towlston road: "Fairfax police have used the cameras since last October. Each person who runs the red is caught on camera - and billed $50. "For about the first twelve minutes we were doing some testing we had five people run it," noted Bruce Taylor of VDOT [should read "of Fairfax County"] in Fairfax." ["Richmond Looks At Cameras to Catch Red Light Runners", Mike Kulstad, NBC12 News, 3/30/01 http://stacks.msnbc.com/local/wwbt/361510.asp ] (Why wasn't yellow light fixed immediately?)

October 8, 2000 - Third Annual National Stop on Red Week commences: "Federal Highway Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle today applauded communities that voluntarily undertook campaigns and other efforts to stop red light running during stop red light running week, Oct. 8-14. His praise comes on the heels of new data revealing that, in the most active days of the National Stop Red Light Running Partnership, fatalities related to red light running have decreased." .... "According to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics, between 1996 and 1999, the period of most aggressive stop red-light-running activities, there has been an 10.3 percent decrease in the number of fatalities at intersections with red lights. For the same period there was about a 6 percent decrease in the number of crashes in intersections with red lights. In 1999, there were nearly 91,000 crashes in intersections with red lights. These crashes resulted in more than 90,000 injuries and 956 fatalities." .... "Wykle also welcomed a new effort between the Federal Highway Administration and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) to identify engineering countermeasures that can contribute to reductions in red light running. "These crashes can be avoided," said Tom Brahms, ITE Executive Director. "Traffic engineers install traffic signals to establish right of way, reduce right-angle accidents, to provide adequate time for pedestrians and vehicles to cross the intersection, and to improve the efficiency of traffic flow. We are also working to deploy new tools designed to improve the operation and safety of our nation's roadways. However, everyone must obey the law." ["Federal Highway Administration Applauds Success of Local Efforts to Stop Red Light Running", Press Release, FHWA 71-00, 11/7/00, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0071.htm ]

October 8, 2000 - San Diego police report alarming red light camera results: "According to San Diego police, cameras caught 3,500 motorists at one location near San Diego International Airport for red-light violations in June alone. "For the most part, the people we hear from the most are the ones who complain," San Diego Police Sgt. Ernest Adams said. "They get the most notoriety. They complain about their tickets, but the answer is simple: Stop at the light." ["Cameras to Put Local Motorists on Red Alert", GREG RISLING, The Los Angeles Times, 10/8/2000]

(Lets see, that would be 42,000 "red light runners" a year. At $271.00 per each, that would be almost $11.4 million per year.)

October 11, 2000 - From a Jefferson City [Missouri] News Tribune Editorial: "We are continually mystified about why motorists believe they are invulnerable when they encase themselves in thousands of pounds of moving steel. Driving is risky, probably the most risky activity most people do on a daily basis. We also are mystified about why motorists believe they are exempt from traffic laws. Just as communication would be impossible if we didn't all agree on the definitions of words, so safe traveling is impossible if we don't all agree on basic rules of the road." .... "Government and law enforcement authorities are considering cameras at intersections to identify motorists who run red lights. This is another example of how government is compelled to respond with a very expensive initiative to curb moronic, and illegal, behavior. Drivers who run red lights drive up the costs of government. Running red lights runs the risk of causing injury or death." ["Stop running red lights", Editorial, Jefferson City News Tribune, 10/11/00]

For perspective: "The Virginia Department of Transportation found when it increased the yellow time at one of the state's red light camera intersections [US50 and Fair Ridge Drive], red light running dropped to almost nothing. " ["Forced To Run The Red?", Elaine Murphy, KOIN News, Beaverton, Oregon, 5/16/2001]

(And don't forget about Alexandria's yellow light increases and the results from making them.)

October 15, 2000 - New York newspaper reports millions of "red light runners": "Cameras mounted near traffic lights to snare red-light runners photographed about 2.4 million vehicles since 1994, city Department of Transportation statistics show. But only 1.1 million summonses, or 45%, were issued to the vehicle owners, the data reveals." ["Traffic-Light Traps in Red", Pete Donohue, New York Daily News, 10/15/2000]

"In general, we use 3 second amber and 2 second All-red clearance intervals. Longer intervals reduce efficiency and capacity of an intersection and there is a tendency for motorists to abuse this interval if they learn from experience that it is longer than normal. We would not compromise safety by reducing these clearance intervals at locations where we have red light cameras. In addition the camera does not become operational until three tenths of a second after the red signal is displayed." [Letter by Michael Primeggia, Deputy Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation, 2/2/01]

"You know, I can only talk about New York. The -- on the streets where the average speed is 45 miles or less, which is the vast majority of streets in New York City, the yellow light lasts for four seconds. It's been like that since there's been yellow lights. You had to know that to give summonses, and I knew that years ago." [Raymond Kelly, former New York City police commissioner, CNN Crossfire, August 17, 2001]

October 20, 2000 - IIHS researcher suggests people "run red lights" in different places for different reasons but it is impossible to know why: "It's impossible to say on a city-by-city basis what accounts for the differences there are so many factors involved," Retting said." ["ROAD WARRIOR: RUNNING RED LIGHTS Signal Timing Plays Role in Safety", Michael Squires, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10/20/2000]

October 26, 2000 - Louie Roman (age 11) of National City, CA dies after being struck by "red light runner" :

"Police said the vehicle, which may have been a sport utility vehicle or a minivan, ran a red light and hit Louie and another child. Sgt. Bill Strasen of the National City Police Department said the driver did not stop and apparently did not brake." .... ""We have several varied descriptions of the vehicle," Strasen said. "But we need to go back to witnesses to get more information. Traffic was very heavy at the time." The other boy, also 11, suffered only bruises and did not have to be hospitalized." ["Friends, family mourn boy killed in crosswalk hit-run", San Diego Union Tribune, 10/27/00]

"Stacy Williams remembers walking through the crosswalk with her 6- year-old daughter, Keshawna, when a car drove over the line and almost hit them." .... "Stinson asked for more security, more hours for crossing guards and more time to cross before the light turns red." .... "Councilman Ron Morrison, however, said cameras could be the answer. "I will fight to the death to get red-light cameras," he said. "We've got kids in danger." ["National City parents demand safeguards at busy crosswalk", Deborah Ensor, San Diego Union Tribune, 10/27/00]

Locals describe symptoms of possible yellow light timing problems:

"It was a year ago yesterday that 11-year-old Louie Roman was killed by a hit-and-run driver as he crossed Plaza Boulevard on his way home from football practice." ... "Cars still race through the crosswalk, driving well over the speed limit. Drivers still don't stop far enough from the crossing. Kids still yell at vehicles, urging them to back up, slow down." ... "The speed limit is 35 mph, but many say they see people drive in excess of 50 mph." .... ""Just two days ago, I saw a car run a red light at the crosswalk while a little girl was crossing the street," Thomas said." ..... ""They still run red lights, they still speed through here," said parent Anika Lunford." .... "The police made a large presence in the days after the accident, handing out numerous tickets to cars that did not stop far enough from the crosswalk." ["Crosswalk still called a danger", Deborah Ensor, San Diego Union Tribune, 10/27/01]

November 2000 - Mesa, AZ adds one second of yellow to traffic lights, camera violations drop and stay down. Mesa later removes cameras. Camera company contract provision seeks to interfere with proper administration of traffic signals (yellow lights): "As the Tribune reported in January, Mesa's red-light camera citations dropped by more than half after the city added a second of time to the yellow arrow lights at double-laned left turns. Officials then doubted the effect would last as motorists got used to the four-second yellow light. But it has. Mesa police said the number of red-light camera citations never recovered from the plummet it took in mid-November at the six intersections where the yellow-light times were changed." .... "A condition of the contract Lockheed-Martin has with Mesa attempts to prohibit the city from changing yellow lights once a red-light camera is installed. The company lost revenue when Mesa broke that condition and lengthened the yellow-light times. Consequently, the city is likely to approve the removal of five red-light cameras that record few violations but are expensive to run." [Arizona Tribune, Ray Stern, rstern@aztrib.com , June 1, 2001] "The City Council voted Monday to disconnect five of the cameras that are not paying for themselves." ["Mesa's red-light photos getting taxpayer subsidy", Art Thomason, The Arizona Republic, June 7, 2001] (NOTE: As part of the wheeling and dealing and to make up for losses from increasing the yellows, Mesa tossed the concept of fairness out the window and eliminated the 0.3 seconds of red "grace" time delay at the remaining camera sites.)

November 2, 2000 - Charlotte announces desire to add photo radar cameras: "First it was running stop lights. Now North Carolina's largest city wants to punish speeders caught on camera. A radar gun equipped with a camera will photograph license tags of speeding cars in Charlotte this winter. City officials are expected to seek legislative approval to send tickets to offenders. Cameras mounted at 30 Charlotte intersections already take pictures of the license tags of vehicles that run traffic signals. The vehicle owners receive $50 citations. About 46,000 citations were issued last year." ["Charlotte Now Wants to Fine Speeders Caught on Camera", Charlotte, N.C. (AP), WCNC, NBC6, 11/2/2000]

November 13, 2000 - AAA rep weighs in amid calls from frustrated Montgomery County, MD officials to get even tougher because red light cameras not "working": ""We're on the side of whatever saves lives," said Lon Anderson, a Montgomery County resident and spokesman for AAA Potomac. "But we have reservations about the system. It may need some fine-tuning." He suggested the timing of lights should be changed when the cameras are installed to make it more clear when there is a violation." ["The rising cost of running red", SARAH BRUMFIELD, Journal Newspaper, 11/13/00]

November 22, 2000 - St. Petersburg, Florida officials weigh in: ""We're the fourth worst city in the United States for running red lights, so we have a problem," Fischer [St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer] said Tuesday." .... "Jockers [St. Petersburg traffic Officer Mike Jockers] ticketed several motorists who accelerated instead of slowing when the light turned yellow." .... "Jockers had advice for drivers over the holidays: Wait a moment after a traffic light turns green. "In that second, look to your left and look to your right," he said. "Make sure somebody else isn't doing something that's going to get you hurt or killed." ["Mayor Goes After Red Light Runners", LEANORA MINAI, St. Petersburg Times, 11/22/2000]

November 27, 2000 - Elected officials admit red light cameras are not "working". Frustration amongst Montgomery County, MD elected officials surfaces: "Bronrott proposes raising the fines for running red lights to $250 to raise awareness of the dangers of disobeying traffic signals. The fine for a photo violation is now $75, with a maximum limit of $100 allowed under the law." ... ""Increasing the penalty is a breach of the faith that allowed cameras in the first place," Dembrow said, adding it makes it seem that the cameras are just a revenue-raising measure." ... "Cryor suggested that fines would be more effective if they came with points on drivers' licenses, which often affect insurance premiums. But she conceded that fines so far have not been effective in preventing red-light running. Maybe if they are raised, they will get drivers' attention, she said. "We have to do whatever we can to get at this kind of driving," she said." [Fresh Fields bill has detractors ASSEMBLY, Journal Newspaper, 11/27/00]

December 2000 - NOTE: The mandatory requirement that phasing and signal timings be based on an engineering study as well as the requirement that "signal operation must relate to traffic flow" were removed by FHWA in the Millennium edition of the MUTCD, released by FHWA in December 2000.

December 14, 2000 - Alexandria VA official speaks at Marietta, Georgia press conference: "David Baker, deputy police chief in Alexandria, Va., spoke at a news conference in Marietta just hours before the ordinance was passed. In the three years his city has used cameras, he said 32,000 citations have been sent and $1 million in fines have been collected." ["Red-light camera on in Marietta", Tucker McQueen, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 12/14/2000]

(I wonder if the Alexandria official mentioned the yellow increases at two of three Alexandria camera sites (because red light camera enforcement was not "working") and the impressive results from making them, a greater than 75% reduction in violations?)

December 20, 2000 - Because red light cameras are not working, Montgomery County, MD elected officials call for stronger "medicine": "Montgomery County officials yesterday said they will push to raise the fines for driving through a red light from $75 to $250." ... ""We need much stronger medicine to drive home the message," said Bronrott, who heads a new Montgomery County task force studying traffic and pedestrian safety. "The bill is not about raising revenue. This is to deter red-light running and save some lives." ... "Some jurisdictions in this area have reported high success rates. Photos taken by Montgomery's 10 cameras have resulting in about 30,000 citations being issued in the past 12 months, officials said. Still, local officials are concerned because the county has had a five-year high in traffic-related deaths this year, with 53 fatalities." ["The Cost of Red May Increase; Montgomery County Officials Want $250 Stoplight Fine", By Phuong Ly, Washington Post, December 20, 2000]

December 20, 2000 - Montgomery County red light accident victim calls attention to dangerous intersection: "Barbara Blaustein, a victim of a driver who ran a red light, stood at the corner of University Boulevard and Amherst Avenue and endorsed the proposed increase in fines at yesterday's news conference. Blaustein, 45, was crossing University Boulevard four years ago on her way to the Wheaton Metro station when she was hit by a car, injuring her spinal cord and breaking several bones. She said she lost her job as a computer scientist, ran up $250,000 in medical bills and still cannot button her clothes or tie her shoes. As she spoke, several cars behind her speeded up to beat the light." ["The Cost of Red May Increase; Montgomery County Officials Want $250 Stoplight Fine", By Phuong Ly, Washington Post, December 20, 2000]

December 20, 2000 - After more than a year, red light cameras still not reducing violations in Montgomery County, MD: "The county has billed drivers a total of about $2.5 million for the more than 35,000 red-light violations over the past year, said Montgomery County Police Lt. William Lanham. Most have paid up, he said. "We haven't seen a decline as we would expect over time as the public becomes aware of cameras," he said." ["Problem continues amid calls for higher fines", SARAH BRUMFIELD, Journal Newspaper, 12/20/00]

December 31, 2000 - Mean spirited nature of insurance company researcher shows through?: "Yet red light runners are law breakers, so why should we be concerned any more about their privacy than that of a thief caught in the act of a holdup." ["Cameras Required to Stop Red light Runners", Richard Retting, Letters, Detroit News, 12/31/00]

"Mr. Retting concedes that "there is some benefit when you increase the yellow timing" but he adds that his group's research shows shorter yellow lights can deter red light running, once people get used to it." ["Red-Light Cameras Boost Revenues", Daniel F. Drummond & Stephen Dinan, The Washington Times, 5/25/01] (I wonder what the meaning of "it" is? Being in accidents? Receiving camera tickets? Being accused of being law breakers with no privacy or rights?)

BE YOUR OWN JUDGE.