Red Light Cameras Successful In Frisco

FRISCO, TX – The purpose of a red-light safety camera enforcement program is to decrease poor, distracted, and irresponsible driving by reminding motorists to obey traffic laws. These programs are a tool to assist police departments and help positively change driver behavior. Poor driver behavior increases the risk of crash-related injuries and fatalities, putting both drivers and pedestrians in danger.

According to NHTSA, Texas is one of the top 3 most deadly states for red-light running collisions. In 2010, over 60 people lost their lives due to an intersection crash in Texas. The City of Frisco installed 3 cameras at two different intersections in March 2011.

Since those cameras were installed over 5,100 red-light running violations have been recorded. The majority of violations 66% are being committed by drivers whose vehicles are registered in other cities. Additionally when comparing the first full month of violation data to the most recent data, red-light running violations have been reduced by 34%. A look at the crash data comparing 1 year before the cameras were installed to the year after the cameras were installed shows that total crashes at the two intersections have almost been reduced by nearly 50%. Rear end crashes have been decreased, and since the cameras have been installed there have been no crashes at either intersection caused by a red light runner.

These remarkable numbers are evidence that the cameras are meeting the goals of public safety and making roads safer for motorists. The Frisco Police Department will continue to work with its Citizen Advisory Committee and its vendor ATS to identify new intersections that may benefit from the use of this technology.