Wilmington says heavy use of red light cameras cuts crash totals

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Red-light-camera-springfield-ohioThe City of Wilmington announced that the number of collisions at intersections with red light cameras declined in 2015.

The report highlights an overall reduction in the number of crashes at monitored intersections for the fiscal year 2015.

During this period, a total of 143 crashes occurred at all monitored intersections as compared to 200 crashes in the fiscal year 2014, a decrease of 28.5 percent.  Click here to view the report.

Wilmington-based AAA Mid-Atlantic questioned the findings, after calling the program into question a couple of years ago.

“The FY2015 report begins to provide the requested transparency into operational detail and crash data analysis, but offers no convincing proof of the effectiveness of red-light cameras at the intersections where they have been placed,” a release from the auto club stated.

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AAA has been critical of a feature of Wilmington red light cameras that tickets motorists for turning right on red lights in areas where the maneuver is banned.  AAA went on to suggest that installation of new cameras be suspended until more hard data is available.

The city’s electronic monitoring system is authorized for 34 cameras at 31 intersections.

The system has generated a couple of million dollars a year in profits for the city, although revenues and profits are dropping as fewer people run red lights.

The new vendor, as of the end of this month,  is  Xerox State & Local Solutions, pending City Council approval. Xerox will offer a flat rate that should aid city finances and lead to the city saving $60,000 a month or $2.5 million over five years, a release stated.

The city  has continued to claim that  the red light cameras are in place for safety reasons, despite the handsome return on their investment,

The total number of red light cameras in Wilmington comes close to matching the number for the entire state, outside of Wilmington.

Critics also see the cameras as yet another reason to not do business in the city. Similar claims have been made regarding aggressive parking enforcement practices and high fines in downtown Wilmington.

There have also been claims here and elsewhere that the cameras lead t0  some motorist making sudden stops that cause crashes. Supporters say the cameras, while a factor in some rear end crashes, sharply reducing chances of side impact T-bone crashes that can result in death.

Fines from the red light cameras are excess of $100. No points are assessed, although insurers may raise rates if too many fines are recorded.

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