Author: Jerry Carnes
Published: 7:18 AM EDT May 31, 2023
ATLANTA — Concerns about safety along Memorial Drive have prompted 11Alive viewer Timothy to advocate for the use of red light cameras. He believes that installing these cameras would deter people from running red lights, thereby enhancing safety for cyclists and motorists alike.
However, the question arises: are red light cameras still considered a viable tool for law enforcement?
According to the Governor's Highway Safety Administration, Georgia remains one of the 21 states that permit the use of red light cameras. However, cities in Georgia must demonstrate the existence of a problem at a particular intersection before the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) grants a permit for installing a camera.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that thirteen jurisdictions in Georgia currently utilize red light cameras. Nevertheless, Jeff Cohn, who maintains a website tracking camera locations across the nation, notes that their popularity has waned over the years.
"Red light cameras reached their peak nearly ten years ago," Cohn remarked. "While they are still widely used globally and across the United States, their prevalence in Georgia specifically has diminished over the past decade."
Cohn estimates that more than 100 red light cameras have been removed by authorities in Georgia. The Insurance Institute explains that this decline is attributed to community opposition and financial difficulties associated with maintaining the cameras.
Cohn further explained, "If a city is only generating $4,000 from the tickets but spending $8,000 on maintenance, it becomes unprofitable for them to continue operating the cameras."
Nonetheless, the Insurance Institute emphasizes that crash rates tend to increase when red light cameras are removed. Notably, the city of Smyrna recently decided to add red light cameras at two intersections, recognizing the potential benefits they offer.
In conclusion, we can verify that red light cameras are still legally permissible in Georgia. However, numerous jurisdictions that previously employed these cameras have concluded that the costs involved outweigh their benefits.
