Report: Red Light Cameras Reducing Rear-end Crashes

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Updated: 11:49 PM Jan 27, 2012 Report: Red Light Cameras Reducing Rear-end Crashes CBS19 got a first look at the annual report on the PhotoSafe red light cameras program that will be presented to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 1. Posted: 7:00 PM Jan 27, 2012 Reporter: Frankie Jupiter Email Address: frankie.jupiter@newsplex.com PhotoSafe Annual Report

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January 27, 2012

At its meeting on Feb. 1, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will hear the annual report on the PhotoSafe Program that put red light cameras at the intersection of Route 29 and Rio Road.

CBS19 got a first look at the report.

In the now 13 months since the cameras have been active, police say a little more than 11,000 drivers have been caught running a red light. That includes the two cameras on the southbound lanes of Route 29 and the single camera on West Rio Road.

"I think twice. I know I can get caught. I don't want to take any chances. I never had any tickets," said driver Martha Trujillo.

"PhotoSafe is working the way we want it to work," said Sgt. Darrell Byers. "It's actually changing driving habits and that's the whole purpose of the cameras."

One negative brought up by opponents of the cameras was that they would lead to a rise in rear-end collisions due to drivers slamming on the brakes when the light turns yellow. However, the report shows the frequency of rear-end crashes is low and continues to decline with time.

Crashes at West Rio Road from 2010 to 2011 dropped from six to two. The drop was from eleven to eight on Route 29.

The fines collected total more than $90,000. That money is used to pay for the cameras and support the county's traffic safety initiative.

Latest Comments

Posted by: yep on Jan 28, 2012 at 10:23 AM

"PhotoSafe is working the way we want it to work," said Sgt. Darrell Byers. "It's actually changing driving habits and that's the whole purpose of the cameras." It's working alright since they put up the nazi cameras my family no longer shops in charlottesville. We go to Waynesboro or Lynchburg where their city or town leaders have common sense.

Posted by: woodrowski on Jan 28, 2012 at 07:41 AM

Since the camera have been put in I've noticed people now SLOW DOWN when they come up to the GREEN LIGHT!!!! Charlottesville drivers are the worst drivers I've ever encountered. Example: Stoping to let people out of cross streets, entrance ramps and driveways on 29 and the 250 bypass

Posted by: Hehe on Jan 27, 2012 at 09:51 PM

Maybe the tickets are so high because people are speeding through yellow rather than slamming on the brakes. They rather get the small fine than fix their car if it gets rear-ended.

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