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MPI data suggest red-light cameras do not reduce crashes: news report


October 1, 2010   by Canadian Underwriter


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The Winnipeg Sun has obtained collision data from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) suggesting red-light cameras have generally failed to reduce the number of collisions in several key intersections in Winnipeg.
The Sun‘s editorial notes the average number of collisions at Winnipeg’s original 12 red-light intersections has jumped 18% since being installed in 2003.
An online link to the MPI statistics is provided at theNewspaper.com
The link leads to a table identified as showing MPI data. The table lists 12 intersections at which red light cameras were installed in August 2003, 12 intersections at which red light cameras were installed in August 2004 and 12 more intersections at which red light cameras were installed in August 2005.
Looking at the 12 intersections at which red light cameras were installed in 2003, in a vast majority of instances, there were more collisions in 2009 than there were in the year the camera technology was installed.
The intersection of Doulhousie Dr. and Pembina Highway stands out as a specific example of red light camera technology failing to reduce collisions. The intersection saw 47 collisions when red light cameras were introduced in 2003, and 87 in 2009.
The total number of crashes at the 2003 camera intersections jumped from 204 in 2003 to 228 in 2009. Between 2004 and 2009, the average annual total number of collisions was 241.
The table data suggests the 2004 cameras were slightly more effective, although the number of total crashes recorded after the introduction of the camera technology is slightly higher on average than in 2004. For example, there were 377 total accidents in 2004, when the cameras were installed, and an annual average of 391 collisions between 2004 and 2009.
The 2005 cameras saw the total number of accidents at the 12 intersections climb from 684 in 2005 to 762 in 2009.


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