Cities Turn to Cameras to Combat Traffic and Car Accidents

    Feb. 11, 2010
    It is important for any community to keep its roadways open, moving and safe and that is not always easy with an increasing number of cars and trucks on the road.  Keeping traffic moving smoothly means fewer accidents and better response time for emergency vehicles.  One way that many cities and local governments are tackling the problem of road safety is by using security or survelliance cameras.  Here are three examples of cities using cameras to keep an eye on traffic. Do Speed Cameras Stop Crashes?-- KPHO-TV (Phoenix, Ariz.)—2/9/10

    Phoenix installed photo-enforced cameras on freeways in 2008 to make the roads safer and traffic flow better. David Porter, Public Safety Officer, who stands by the decision, said that the number of crashes has declined and road safety has increased. The statistics seem to support that.  In November and December of 2006, a stretch of Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix saw 82 crashes. In the same time period in 2008, after the cameras were installed, the number dropped to 44 -- a 46 percent reduction in crashes.

    Killer Roads: Signs, cameras installed on I-75 meant to keep drivers informed, safe-- NaplesNews.com (Fla.)—2/7/10

    The whole idea of these systems is to keep citizen safe and the roads moving smoothly.  Road safety saves time and money for everyone.  Cutting down on the number of accidents saves lives and keep roads clear in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.  Traffic jams and other hazards means that first responders are delayed getting to the areas they are needed.  Camera systems can provide invaluable information on road conditions and traffic movement.  

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