Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

A woman from Imperial, Missouri and a woman from Hillsboro, Missouri were hurt in a Jefferson County Missouri injury car accident on January 19, 2012 at 2:40pm. The Thursday afternoon accident occurred when one of them failed to stop at a red light at the intersection of MO-141 and Romaine Creek Road.

Judith A. Fletcher of Hillsboro was traveling westbound on Romaine Creek Road through the intersection. Chastity M. Duncan of Imperial failed to stop at a red light, crashing into the front of Fletcher’s 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The Impala was totaled in the crash.

Both Fletcher and Duncan suffered moderate personal injury in the accident. Rock Township ambulance transported them to St. Anthony’s Hospital for medical treatment.

Red-light running is a major cause of injury crashes in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 2.3 million intersection-related crashes in a single year. Those intersection-related crashes resulted in over 7,500 fatalities. The NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System indicates that more than 700 deaths were caused by running a red light in particular. The problem is so widespread that one in three people say that they personally know at least one person who has been involved in a red-light running crash.

The increased implementation of red light cameras may help accident victims prove liability in a red light intersection accident. Many cities have installed cameras to monitor intersections for red light violations. Some cameras are equipped with sensors. When a car runs a red light, it triggers the sensor, which in turn causes the camera to take a photograph of the intersection. Other red light cameras take a photograph of the intersection at every red light. Either type of red light camera may provide helpful evidence for victims of red light intersection accident.

The process of obtaining evidence for trial is called “discovery.” Obtaining government records like red light camera photographs for trial may be complex, especially for accident victims unfamiliar with the process. Some cities have a very easy process for obtaining documents. Other cities have complicated, bureaucratic systems with strict deadlines. Accident victims should contact a Missouri red light intersection accident attorney as soon as possible for a free legal consultation.

A study just released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concludes red light cameras have reduced the rate of fatal crashes by nearly 25%. The study was conducted in fourteen large cities who introduced the red light cameras at some point between 1996 and 2004. The study correlates the red light cameras with a drop in fatal intersection crashes with traffic signals. The theory is that people are paying more attention when they come to an intersection in fear of getting a traffic citation. The Institute finds red light cameras to be both cheaper and safer to the alternative of officers enforcing traffic laws at each intersection. Contrary to these findings, the executive director of the National Motorists Association argued the cameras have failed in significantly reducing fatalities and cited studies which show the cameras actually increase crashes, especially rear-end collisions.

Just a few weeks ago, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission adopted a policy to regulate the use of traffic cameras across the state in an attempt to ensure the technology is used in a consistent and fair manner. Last October, the Missouri Department of Transportation suspended the installation of new red-light cameras on roadways owned by the state while they took the matter under review. The latest policies adopted by MHTC require that only a certified law enforcement officer determine the violations, that local officials must conduct a public awareness campaign prior to issuing red-light citations, that signs must be posted in advance stating cameras are monitoring the intersections and that all cities and counties will be required to submit an annual report which provides appropriate safety and citation data. MoDOT traffic studies showed a 45 percent reduction in right angle crashes causing fatalities and serious injuries at intersections, but also found the cameras actually caused a 14 percent increase in collisions which caused minor injuries or no injuries.

Last March, Missouri courts ruled cities did not have the authority to treat red light violations in the same way a parking ticket is treated. The Missouri high court essentially said that no city in Missouri has the authority to issue a civil violation which carries no points. Nationwide, state supreme courts appear to be evenly split on the issue of photo enforcement and Missouri’s Supreme Court joined in with the Minnesota high court in 2007 in declaring red light cameras illegal. Other states have declared cameras consistent with state law.

With the wide array of views regarding the use and legality of red light cameras, it’s easy to be confused about whether they are or are not safe and legal. If you have doubts regarding this issue, it can be a good idea to contact a Missouri car accident attorney to determine your legal rights. Red light cameras appear to be a hot topic that you will hear more about in the future.