Ban Traffic Enforcement Cameras

The proliferation of traffic enforcement cameras, particularly red light and speed cameras, poses multifaceted problems on our roads. With their increasing presence, red light cameras have sparked safety concerns, as drivers may abruptly slam on their brakes to avoid running a red light, potentially causing rear-end collisions and other accidents. Moreover, the pervasive use of these cameras raises significant privacy concerns, as they constantly monitor and record motorists’ movements. Adding to the complexity, the financial burden of violations can be substantial, varying widely based on state laws, camera locations, and individual driving records. Ticket costs for red light infractions, for instance, can range from $50 to as much as $1000, while speed camera violations in Virginia alone can reach up to $200 per incident. Such high fines often disproportionately affect low-income individuals and can strain already tight budgets, exacerbating the socioeconomic inequalities embedded within the enforcement system. As these cameras become more prevalent, it’s imperative to address the nuanced issues they raise to ensure road safety and protect individuals’ privacy and financial well-being.


Why It’s a Problem

Traffic enforcement cameras pose a significant problem to motorists for a myriad of reasons that strike at the core of fairness, privacy, and safety. 

Firstly, the consequences of receiving red light camera and speed camera tickets can extend beyond mere fines; they can result in points on one’s driver’s license and lead to increases in car insurance rates, burdening individuals with long-term financial repercussions. Moreover, these cameras deprive motorists of their constitutional right to face their accuser. Yet the inherent inaccuracies and false positives associated with these cameras can unjustly penalize innocent drivers, whether due to misreading license plates or the enforcement of tickets against vehicle owners even if someone else was driving. The erosion of human discretion in favor of automated enforcement systems not only removes the ability for nuanced judgment but also raises concerns about the creation of a surveillance state atmosphere, as these cameras capture images and videos of vehicles and occupants, encroaching upon personal privacy rights. 

Furthermore, the financial incentives driving the proliferation of these cameras, including commissions paid to third-party companies based on ticket issuance, often prioritize revenue generation over genuine road safety initiatives. This profit-driven approach may even incentivize localities to shorten yellow light durations, increasing the likelihood of accidents, particularly rear-end collisions and T-bone incidents, thus compromising public safety in the name of financial gain. The controversies and documented increases in accidents associated with red light camera programs in states like Virginia underscore the detrimental impact of prioritizing revenue over safety, highlighting the urgent need to reevaluate the motives and consequences of traffic enforcement camera systems.


Here’s the Solution

The solution to the traffic enforcement camera problem lies in a multifaceted approach aimed at enhancing road safety while restoring motorists’ trust and autonomy. Primarily, the complete elimination of traffic enforcement cameras alleviates concerns regarding privacy invasion and unjust penalties. Increasing the duration of yellow lights offers a practical means to reduce accidents and promote smoother traffic flow without resorting to punitive measures. Implementing speed bumps or tables, accompanied by clear signage indicating vehicle speed, encourages drivers to maintain safe speeds in residential and high-traffic areas. Moreover, redesigning streets to be narrower and incorporating traffic circles fosters more cautious driving habits and discourages reckless behavior. A concerted effort to educate the public on the limitations and true effectiveness of these cameras dispels misconceptions and encourages responsible driving practices. By embracing these comprehensive strategies, communities can cultivate safer and more harmonious road environments while empowering individuals to take ownership of their driving behaviors.


Here’s How Your Life Will Improve

Banning traffic cameras represents a bipartisan-supported solution that promises transformative outcomes and improvements for motorists. By eliminating these cameras, drivers can bid farewell to the headache of navigating inaccuracies and worrying about ticket repercussions when loaning out their vehicles. Moreover, the prohibition of traffic cameras enables the implementation of longer yellow light durations, enhancing road safety without sacrificing privacy rights. This move marks a decisive step away from the encroachment of a nanny state mentality and crony capitalism, prioritizing the interests and well-being of citizens over profit-driven surveillance initiatives. While the initial investment in alternative solutions like speed bumps may entail one-time costs, the long-term savings from avoiding the maintenance and operation of traffic cameras are substantial. Ultimately, banning traffic cameras isn’t just the best solution—it’s the most equitable and pragmatic one, ensuring fairness, privacy, and safety for all motorists while fostering a more accountable and transparent approach to traffic management.


The Facts About Traffic Enforcement Cameras

The facts on this issue are striking…

  • Increased Rear-end collisions: Studies show a 27% increase in rear-end collisions after red light cameras are installed. Virginia Transportation Research Council, “Elevation of the Safety Effects of Red Light Cameras”, 2007
  • Questionable Safety Improvements: Another study by the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State found that while T-Bone collisions were reduced,  the overall safety impact of red light cameras was “inconclusive”.
  • Inaccuracy and False Positives: A report by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability found that the state had a significant number of false positives. The report stated that 35% of the violations captured by Red Light cameras were dismissed upon review indicating system inaccuracies.
  • Reduced Driver Discretion: Automated speed enforcement removes the discretion that law enforcement officers have when issuing speeding tickets. This lack of human judgment can be seen as unfair, as it does not take into account factors such as emergency situations or mitigating circumstances.
  • Financial Motives: A study published in the Journal of Law and Economics examined the relationship between red light cameras and municipal budgets. The study found evidence suggesting that municipalities with red light cameras increased the number of violations and reduced the length of yellow signal durations, potentially for financial gain.
  • Overwhelming support: In a Gallup poll (2011), 55% of respondents stated that they oppose the use of red light cameras while only 42% were in favor.
  • Polling Data: In a Rasmussen Reports poll (2014), 53% of respondents stated that they oppose the use of red light cameras while only 39% were in favor.
  • Telling Survey Results: In a National Motorist Association (NMA) survey (2009), 73% of respondents expressed opposition to the use of red light cameras. Additionally, NMA found that a majority of respondents expressed opposition to speed cameras.

Next Steps

The Coalition for Motorists Rights is dedicated to banning traffic enforcement cameras, recognizing its adverse impact on individuals and communities. Through grassroots mobilization, legislative engagement, and strategic alliances, we aim to effect meaningful reform and champion the rights of motorists across our state in the following 5 simple steps…

  • Step 1 – Collect 10k signatures by the start of 2025 legislative session
  • Step 2 – Present the petitions to legislators
  • Step 3 – Get legislation introduced in both chambers of the state legislature
  • Step 4 – Get cosponsors for the bill
  • Step 5 – Educate people on the true impact of these enforcement cameras

In the meantime, we need to immediately increase yellow light timing at intersections with red light cameras and implement alternative speed reduction tactics at locations of speed cameras.


How Are Other States Addressing the Issue

States across the US are approaching the issue of traffic enforcement cameras with varying degrees of restriction and regulation. While some states have opted for outright bans on certain types of traffic cameras, others have chosen to restrict their use to specific circumstances, such as only deploying them at intersections with a documented history of accidents or safety concerns. This approach allows authorities to target problem areas while minimizing the potential negative impacts associated with widespread camera deployment. 

Additionally, some states have implemented measures to increase transparency and accountability in the use of traffic enforcement cameras, requiring regular reporting on their effectiveness and adherence to established guidelines. By adopting a range of strategies tailored to their unique traffic safety challenges, states aim to strike a balance between promoting road safety and addressing public concerns about privacy, fairness, and the potential for overreach in traffic enforcement efforts.


The Cost of Inaction

Ignoring the growing problem of traffic enforcement cameras is simply not an option as the cost of inaction regarding such a ban is staggering and multifaceted. Without decisive measures to curtail their proliferation, authorities are likely to install even more of these intrusive devices, further entrenching a culture of surveillance and revenue generation on our roads. The continued presence of traffic enforcement cameras incentivizes crony capitalism and emboldens greedy governments to abuse their authority, exploiting motorists for financial gain under the guise of public safety. 

Moreover, the likelihood of receiving a ticket increases exponentially in areas saturated with traffic cameras, placing an undue burden on drivers and eroding trust in the fairness and impartiality of law enforcement. The consequences of allowing traffic enforcement cameras to persist unchecked extend far beyond monetary fines, permeating the very fabric of our democratic principles and individual freedoms. It is imperative that action be taken to halt the unchecked expansion of traffic enforcement cameras and restore integrity to our roads and communities.


Why We Need to Act Now

The urgency of addressing the proliferation of traffic light cameras cannot be overstated, as their expansion resembles a growing cancer on our roads. Virginia, for instance, initiated its first red light camera program in 1997 as a 10-year pilot venture, ostensibly aimed at enhancing road safety. However, the initial intent of these programs has morphed into a widespread deployment, with the state now boasting 64 red light cameras across 11 communities, as reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

This exponential growth underscores the need for urgent action to reassess the efficacy and ethics of traffic light camera usage. The unchecked expansion of these programs raises concerns about their true motivations, as revenue generation often overshadows genuine safety considerations. Furthermore, the lack of consistent standards and oversight across jurisdictions exacerbates the potential for abuse and undermines public trust in the fairness and transparency of traffic enforcement efforts. It is imperative that policymakers and communities confront this issue head-on, recognizing the need to prioritize safety, equity, and individual rights over profit-driven surveillance initiatives. Failure to address the unchecked proliferation of traffic light cameras risks eroding public confidence in the integrity of our roadways and perpetuating a system that prioritizes financial gain over the well-being of motorists.


What You Can Do

Do you care about this issue as much as we do? Here’s how you can help…

  • Sign the Petition
  • Share the Petition with Your Friends
  • Post it on Social Media
  • Contact your legislators
  • Donate
  • Run for Office
  • Talk About it with Your Friends
  • Get our Bumper Sticker/Yard Signs
  • Volunteer – Knock Doors for Candidates Friendly to our Cause
  • Help Fund Our Efforts