Enforcement Tools

Streets can be made healthier by increasing the expectation that traffic laws will be enforced. Automated photo enforcement dramatically reduces crashes and pays for itself through fines. It can be used to increase traffic-signal and speed-limit compliance. New York City enhances the cost-effectiveness of its program by supplementing some of the real cameras with dummy cameras, which are exchanged regularly to help keep motorists compliant.

The City of Chicago, which installed the first of ten red-light cameras in November of 2003, has seen positive results. The existing 20 cameras have reduced red-light running by 40% at some intersections. The city plans to add 60 additional cameras by the end of 2005.

In addition, traditional police enforcement can be effective when it is employed regularly and targeted to priority problem areas.

Resources:
Speeding in Residential Areas: Problem-Oriented Guides for Police, Problem Specific Guides Series No. 3: COPS, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, US. Dept. of Justice
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/mime/open.pdf?Item=284

City of Chicago Red Light Camera Program