For some dangerous intersections there is no choice but to install red light cameras that automatically snap pictures to catch people who blow through red lights.
A study of the very dangerous Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia shows that red light cameras reduced the number of violations by 87 percent or more, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. At one particularly nasty intersection where pedestrians are putting their lives at risk by crossing the street, the number of violations dropped from 251 to 1.8 per 10,000 vehicles.
I'm not for a police state where every corner is monitored by cameras. But for some areas that are notorious for crashes and fatalities, installing cameras that are clearly marked to scare drivers. Similarly, those automated signs that tell you your speed are a useful deterrent as even though you may not get a ticket, most drivers will feel a bit self-conscious about driving well above the speed limit.
Source: IIHS
