Skip to main content

Survey shows DC residents support traffic cameras

A new survey from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) finds that DC residents overwhelmingly support both red light and speed cameras. Although some residents expressed mixed opinions on the cameras, among those surveyed, 87 per cent support red light cameras and 76 per cent favour speed cameras. Among drivers, about 71 per cent support speed cameras, while 90 per cent of non-drivers support them, according to the survey. Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Gwen Crump cited statistic
May 1, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
A new survey from the US 7120 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) finds that DC residents overwhelmingly support both red light and speed cameras.

Although some residents expressed mixed opinions on the cameras, among those surveyed, 87 per cent support red light cameras and 76 per cent favour speed cameras. Among drivers, about 71 per cent support speed cameras, while 90 per cent of non-drivers support them, according to the survey.

Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Gwen Crump cited statistics showing a 73 per cent decrease in traffic fatalities in the District since the introduction of the city's speed cameras in 2001.

"Despite DC's camera program being portrayed in the media as very unpopular and unfair, our survey shows people really support them," says IIHS researcher Anne McCartt.

The study also asked drivers about stop sign and crosswalk cameras.  Here, residents were largely split on the issue, with 50 per cent supporting the stop sign cameras and 47 per cent supporting crosswalk cameras.  DC police are hoping to unveil both types of cameras within the next year.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Reporting on the direction of the US's ITS research effort
    January 19, 2012
    The US ITS Joint Program Office has been working with industry stakeholders to help define the form of future research projects. Here, the Office's James Pol discusses progress and future goals
  • Red X safety initiative launched in West Yorkshire
    September 16, 2016
    A red X response vehicle carrying automatic number plate recognition cameras is being used as part of the joint initiative between Highways England and West Yorkshire Police to raise awareness and improve compliance and safety. The initiative is part of Highways England’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about smart motorways. CCTV footage has also been released showing an incident on the M1 near Wakefield where a van narrowly avoided striking a worker and a stationary vehicle when it travelled in a clos
  • CRASH Predicts ‘unpredictable’ in traffic incidents
    November 11, 2015
    Road crashes are not as random as they may appear and analysing data can reveal patterns that can help various authorities target their resources more accurately. David Crawford reports. Figures from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that in 2013 there were 32,719 people killed on American roads and 2.31 million injured. While these form part of an overall 25% drop over the decade from 2004, US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx continues to stress that reaching the procl
  • Hard shoulder running aids uniform traffic flow and safer driving
    January 23, 2012
    David Crawford detects a market for European experience. Well-established now in at least three European countries, Hard Shoulder Running (HSR) on motorways is exciting growing interest in the US. A November 2010 Report to Congress by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), on the Efficient Use of Highway Capacity, notes the role of HSR in the European-style Active Traffic Management (ATM) strategies now being recommended for implementation in the US where, until recently, they were virtually unknown.