A Florida man was placed under arrest on Saturday morning in the city of Apopka, for what local police are calling obstruction of an officer without violence and a "pedestrian violation." As this is Florida, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was something insane. Rather, he was protesting his fair city's use of red light cameras.
66-year-old Mark Schmidter was on the corner handing out fliers to motorists stopped at red lights. The double-sided fliers had a petition and a message about a city council meeting, where citizens could voice their concerns about red light cameras. This was all well and good, until Schmidter was approached by a police officer.
Schmidter told the officer he didn't have a permit for the protest, and when asked for identification, responded that as he wasn't driving, he had no need for ID. When he continued to (peacefully) resist the officer's requests for identification or information about who he was, the officer cuffed him and made an arrest.
Schmidter's argument about the cameras was that, "Red light cameras are all about money - not safety. Governments choose tax money over safety of motorists." Citizens across the country seem to support this reasoning, with TheNewspaper.com finding that in 30 public referendums across the country, cameras have been overturned 90 percent of the time. Schmidter was fined $65 for the pedestrian violation and was held for 12 hours before being released on $500 bond. His push to remove the red light cameras requires 500 signatures before a public referendum can be held.
Red Light Camera Studies
The preponderance of independent research (in other words, research that was not funded by ticket camera vendors or units of government interested in justifying camera-based traffic enforcement) has illustrated that ticket cameras typically increase, not decrease, the number of accidents at controlled intersections.
U.S. PIRG Red Light Camera Report – Caution: Red Light Cameras Ahead
According to a this study by the national public interest advocacy group, U.S. PRIG, local governments hungry for revenue are signing contracts with red-light camera companies that put profit over traffic safety.
According to a this study by the national public interest advocacy group, U.S. PRIG, local governments hungry for revenue are signing contracts with red-light camera companies that put profit over traffic safety.
Los Angeles Red Light Cameras Lead To Increased Accidents
A local TV station fact-checked the city's claims that their ticket cameras reduced accidents and found that the opposite was true. At 20 of the 32 intersections studied, accidents increased and several intersections tripled their accident rate.
A local TV station fact-checked the city's claims that their ticket cameras reduced accidents and found that the opposite was true. At 20 of the 32 intersections studied, accidents increased and several intersections tripled their accident rate.
Virginia Accidents Increased After Ticket Camera Installation
The Virginia Transportation Research Council released a report expanding upon earlier research into the safety effects of red light cameras in Virginia. It showed an overall increase in crashes after cameras were installed.
The Virginia Transportation Research Council released a report expanding upon earlier research into the safety effects of red light cameras in Virginia. It showed an overall increase in crashes after cameras were installed.
A Long Term Study of Red-Light Cameras and Accidents
The conclusion of this Australian study was that RLCs are not an effective countermeasure and that they can increase the number of rear end crashes.
The conclusion of this Australian study was that RLCs are not an effective countermeasure and that they can increase the number of rear end crashes.
AAA Michigan Study Shows Cameras Aren't Needed
AAA Michigan partnered with a number of communities to improve intersection safety. Their inexpensive structural changes resulted in a 47-percent decrease in crashes and a 50-percent decrease in injuries.
AAA Michigan partnered with a number of communities to improve intersection safety. Their inexpensive structural changes resulted in a 47-percent decrease in crashes and a 50-percent decrease in injuries.
Red Light Running Cameras: Would Crashes, Injuries and Automobile Insurance Rates Increase If They Are Used in Florida?
A report published in Florida Public Health Review journal found that red light cameras increased accidents and insurance industry profit.
A report published in Florida Public Health Review journal found that red light cameras increased accidents and insurance industry profit.
Red-Light-Running Behaviour at Red-Light Camera and Control Intersections
Monash University study showing red-light cameras have no effect on reducing violations.
Monash University study showing red-light cameras have no effect on reducing violations.
A Detailed Investigation Of Crash Risk Reduction Resulting From Red-Light Cameras In Small Urban Areas
A study prepared by the North Carolina A&T State University found that red-light cameras increased the number of accidents at intersections.
A study prepared by the North Carolina A&T State University found that red-light cameras increased the number of accidents at intersections.
A Response to Unfounded Criticisms of Burkey and Obeng (2004) Made by the IIHS
The North Carolina A&T University study above was criticized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is a rebuttal of IIHS's claims by the authors of the North Carolina study.
The North Carolina A&T University study above was criticized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is a rebuttal of IIHS's claims by the authors of the North Carolina study.
Impact of Red-Light Camera Enforcement on Crash Experience -- A Synthesis of Highway Practice
A recent study by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) illustrates the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of red-light cameras.
A recent study by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) illustrates the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of red-light cameras.
Evaluation of the Red-Light-Camera-Enforcement Pilot Project
This report from Ontario, Canada's Ministry of Transportation's concluded that jurisdictions using photo enforcement experienced an overall increase in property damage and fatal and injury rear-end collisions.
This report from Ontario, Canada's Ministry of Transportation's concluded that jurisdictions using photo enforcement experienced an overall increase in property damage and fatal and injury rear-end collisions.
Development of Guidelines for Identifying and Treating Locations with a Red-Light-Running Problem
This Texas Transportation Institute study highlights the efficacy of increasing yellow-light times. An extra second yielded a 40-percent reduction in collisions.
This Texas Transportation Institute study highlights the efficacy of increasing yellow-light times. An extra second yielded a 40-percent reduction in collisions.
Virginia DOT Study on Red-Light Cameras
The Virginia Department of Transportation released a biased report in favor of the cameras that still documented an increase in accidents, including more rear-end collisions and injuries.
The Virginia Department of Transportation released a biased report in favor of the cameras that still documented an increase in accidents, including more rear-end collisions and injuries.
Critique of IIHS 2001 Oxnard Study
California Senate Committee on Privacy critiqued the Oxnard study. The results show that IIHS's study is flawed on many levels.
California Senate Committee on Privacy critiqued the Oxnard study. The results show that IIHS's study is flawed on many levels.
The Red-Light-Running Crisis: Is It Intentional?
This report was prepared by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey's staff. It looks at the problems of red-light cameras and how to really deal with traffic-light violations.
This report was prepared by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey's staff. It looks at the problems of red-light cameras and how to really deal with traffic-light violations.
Driver Behavior Characteristics at Urban Signalized Intersections
This study shows that providing adequate all-red clearance intervals can significantly impact intersection safety by reducing the probability of occurrence of right angle crashes, even if drivers run the red light.
This study shows that providing adequate all-red clearance intervals can significantly impact intersection safety by reducing the probability of occurrence of right angle crashes, even if drivers run the red light.
Misleading San Diego Report
Although the report clearly credits the most significant reduction in violations to an increase in yellow time -- a fact buried on page 78 -- the report nonetheless credits these benefits to the red-light cameras everywhere else in the report, especially in the summary.
Although the report clearly credits the most significant reduction in violations to an increase in yellow time -- a fact buried on page 78 -- the report nonetheless credits these benefits to the red-light cameras everywhere else in the report, especially in the summary.
University of South Florida Criticism of Oxnard Study
University of South Florida researchers uncovered fundamental flaws in the first US study to claim red light cameras decrease accidents.
University of South Florida researchers uncovered fundamental flaws in the first US study to claim red light cameras decrease accidents.
Report Critiques Red Light Camera Research Methods
A peer-reviewed article published in the Florida Public Health Review elaborates on the conclusion that red light cameras are associated with increased injury accidents.
A peer-reviewed article published in the Florida Public Health Review elaborates on the conclusion that red light cameras are associated with increased injury accidents.
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