Re: Should LaCrosse Have Traffic Cameras?

[Dan]

Traffic cams to monitor congestion, or red light cams to generate citations? Multiple studies show that red light cameras do not accomplish the stated goal of accident reduction and safety; one study, by the IIHS, showed that rear-end crashes increased with installation of red light cams. The only reason to have them is revenue gathering. If safety at traffic lights is the goal, then that can be accomplished with timing of the lights themselves.

[Coulee Region Online]

If they put one at the stoplights by Red Lobster, they could fund the whole city budget. The amount of red light running at that intersection is simply stunning.

Michelle

[jblake47]

Pick any traffic light in the city. Stand there for 15 minutes and you will see people running the lights. The problem is not the lights or the system, it's the attitude of the people.

If people knew that when the light actually turned red, a spike strip would appear before the crosswalk, they would all stop. Now they can get away with it and thus the problem continues.

Hire extra people to just monitor traffic lights. I will guarantee that person's payroll/benefit expense would be covered with plenty of other $$'s left over for the city's coffers.