Removing risk in red light cameras

Opponents of red light cameras express concern that the institution of this penalty-based surveillance increases the number of accidents.

This would occur from drivers' fear of getting a ticket, which would cause them to stop dangerously or suddenly.

I don't think the basic idea of a red light camera is a negative one.

However, my suggestion is that the red light cameras be installed with an additional display that counts down the duration of the green light, in anticipation of the yellow light. This is much like the crosswalk signals that count down the time you have to cross the street. This countdown informs pedestrians so that they may make a more informed decision as to whether they should attempt to cross or not.

I believe the same should be instituted with the red light camera. It rules out the possibility that drivers get tickets based on the bad luck of bad timing and allows cars that aren't going to make it across the intersection to realize this upon approaching and slow down instead of stopping suddenly.

I know this would increase the cost of the project, but it would give drivers more control over whether or not they received a ticket while reducing the risk of quick-stop accidents.

Mel Keiser

Naperville