Do you believe that if you are not caught by a police officer that you should be forced to pay tickets for breaking traffic laws? Some people say this should not be legal, yet others point out that breaking these laws can increase the chance of a deadly car accident. Recently, a new checklist was issued that is aimed to determine what can and cannot be done with automated enforcement programs.
If you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else breaking the law, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. Otherwise, keep reading to learn about the checklist and whether or not you agree with the items on it.
The Background of the Checklist
The checklist was released and determined by a number of groups, including:
- AAA
- The National Safety Council (NSC)
- The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
- The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
Their goal was to work together to find a roadmap that communities could follow as they look to establish or expand their automated enforcement programs. The president of the IIHS says that automated enforcement reduces accidents by reducing the number of dangerous driving behaviors people take part in.
Speed Cameras Are on the List
The checklist suggests that communities add speed cameras to their programs. In defense of this controversial point of view, they point out that more than 25% of all traffic fatalities involve speed. The faster a vehicle is moving at the time of a crash, the more likely the crash is to be severe. Some states have tried to raise speed limits to keep drivers from speeding, but they just go faster.
Red Light Cameras Are on the List
The checklist also encourages communities to add red light cameras. They point to the fact that nearly 144,000 people suffer injuries each year due to red-light running, while nearly 850 people die in these types of accidents. They also point out that most of the victims are not the drivers running the red lights but rather pedestrians, people on bikes, and people in other vehicles.
These Cameras Can Work
According to those who study these systems, running red lights and speeding kill. If enforcement programs are designed and enforced correctly, they can reduce these illegal behaviors and help reduce deaths, too.
Whether you support or oppose these cameras, if you have been injured in a car accident, you should contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation at your convenience.
