Police enforcement is ineffective, biased, and dangerous. Automated enforcement saves lives.

The costs of speeding and red-light running are substantial. In 2015, 771 people were killed and 137,000 more were injured in crashes involving a driver that ran a red-light. Speeding is linked to an even greater number of traffic crashes and fatalities.

Deaths are increasing: At least 52 pedestrians and 6 cyclists died after being struck by vehicles in CT in 2020 alone. In New Haven, 12 pedestrians and cyclists have died after being hit by vehicles – an increase from the 9 lost in 2019.

An automated enforcement system uses an electronic camera to enforce traffic laws by assisting with detection of infractions and providing photo documentation of the vehicle (usually the license plate) violating the traffic law. Two most common types of automated enforcement systems are red-light cameras and automated speed enforcement cameras.

Traditional enforcement is racially biased and often dangerous: We know that traditional police enforcement of traffic laws show clear evidence of racial bias and that black and Hispanic drivers are searched more often than white drivers when they are stopped (https://openpolicing.stanford.edu/findings/). Automated traffic enforcement reduces potentially dangerous traffic stops and ensures consistent application of the law, reducing bias and increasing safety for all road users.

In many towns and cities across the U.S., automated enforcement has been shown to substantially reduce red-light running and can lead to fewer traffic fatalities.

CURRENT STATUS:

Safe Streets is advocating for the passage of HB 5429. You can read the testimony here.