Cameras Linked to Accidents in Red-Light District

Washington, DC's red-light cameras seem to have some measurable impact on automobile accidents. Unfortunately for drivers, the link is this: they're actually likely to make us less safe, according to the Washington Post.

The District's red-light cameras have generated more than 500,000 violations and $32 million in fines over the past six years. City officials credit them with making busy roads safer.

But a Washington Post analysis of crash statistics shows that the number of accidents has gone up at intersections with the cameras. The increase is the same or worse than at traffic signals without the devices.

Besides the obvious civil liberties implications, the fact that red-light cameras aren't increasing public safety isn't new. A study in Virginia concluded much the same earlier this year.

I'll take Franklin -- who noted that only a sucker would sacrifice liberty for safety -- one step further and say that only a fool would sacrifice liberty and safety for nothing but the odd ticket. Unless DC's cameras are in place simply to record the greater number of accidents they've likely had a hand in causing, it's time to send them to the scrap heap.

[Cross-posted at The Agitator.]