NCJ Number
189010
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 71-74
Date Published
May 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reports on a survey of police chiefs across the Nation regarding measures used to counter red-light running.
Abstract
The survey, conducted in early 2001, polled police chiefs from 60 departments across the Nation regarding issues associated with red-light running. Out of the 40 responses received, 86 percent of the respondents reported that red-light running is a problem in their jurisdiction. A total of 73 percent of the departments use special enforcement efforts to address the problem. The most common strategies mentioned were education and photo cameras. Next, in descending order of use were stiff fines, extensive public relations campaigns, special task forces, license suspensions, and additional officers. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents said photo cameras that photograph the license plates of offenders' vehicles are effective in curbing red-light running. There are about 250 such cameras aimed at intersections in about 50 cities and 10 States today. Another 10 States have proposed legislation to allow them. The current trend in the use of photo cameras suggests they will become more common among law enforcement agencies in the near future. To hasten this day, police administrators will continue to lobby for statutory mandates, budgetary allocations, and public acceptance that will pave the way for the installation of the devices.