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Industry / Police PR
Docs Set # 1
Crash Photos
Examining Published Crash Photos
New 11-6-05, more added 8-29-07
I have attended over 1000 red light camera ticket trials, and have
noticed that the average Late Time on a through (not turning) violation
is about 0.4 seconds, with many tickets issued for violations of
0.1 second. Yet, the crash photos released by the Industry nearly always depict
violations that are many seconds longer - unintentional running that is little reduced by the presence of cameras.
Or, the Industry photos depict crashes where, after a little examination by the reader, it is clear that the running of a red light is not the primary cause.
I recently did a Google photo search (images.google.com) for "red light camera" and "photo enforcement" and came up with the following.
Source: October 2002 issue of ITS International (itsinternational.com)
The photo above has been widely circulated. It is from Ventura, California (Southbound Mills at Dean), and shows an imminent accident. Someone quickly reviewing the photo might assume it was caused entirely by the white car. However, if we look at the small white numbers in the black strip above the image, we can see that the Late Time, the amount of time that the white car's signal had been red, was 0.3 seconds ("TR 0.3"), and that the white car was in Lane 1. (For more info on how to read Late times, see the purple box in Defect # 7 on the Home page.) That short Late Time raises the question of how the green car got so far into the intersection so quickly after the onset of his green. Did he jump the green?
Furthermore, the speed of the white car is indicated as being 51 MPH ("VS 051 MPH") - so in 0.3 second it would cover 22 feet. Thus, at the instant the signal turned red, it would have been 22 feet or less behind the position depicted, probably with its nose well past the limit line - not a violation.
I suggest that responsibility for the accident is shared by:
1. The City, which presumably knew that the intersection was problematic (that's supposedly why they put the camera there), and should have had an "all red" interval of at least 0.5 second programmed in the signal, and
2. The driver of the green car, who apparently jumped his green light at high speed (note his skid marks).
On a couple occasions in the past, I have asked the Ventura PD about this photo. So far, no additional information has been provided. Maybe, now that I am publishing it with my interpretation, they will respond with their own interpretation.
Source: Washington Post, Nov. 15, 2004, Page B2 (washingtonpost.com)
The photo above, from Duke and Walker streets in Alexandria, Virginia, shows an imminent accident (unless everyone is very lucky). However, it should be noted that the Late Time was 8.1 seconds ("R081"), and that the limit lines have been worn away to the point where they could easily be overlooked, and that the signal lights are on the far side of the intersection..
Source: www.pedestrians.org/episodes/details31to60/episode31.htm
The photo above is from Mesa, Arizona. It should be noted that the Late Time was 33.4 seconds ("R334").
The next photo, below, is from the same intersection.
Source: www.pedestrians.org/episodes/details31to60/episode31.htm
This photo above is also from Mesa, the same intersection, one week later. Note that the Late Time was 45.2 seconds ("R452"). If drivers are totally failing to notice that the light is red, maybe the City needs to put up bigger lights, or more of them. These pictures were taken in 1997. It would be interesting to inquire as to what improvements the City has made to the intersection in the years since then.
Source: http://www.cityofmesa.org/police/traffic/redlight_photos.aspx
The three photos above are from a Aug. 17, 2006 crash in Mesa, Arizona and have been used extensively as a red light camera sales tool in other states. The MPD did not provide a caption or other information about the accident depicted.
Someone quickly reviewing the photos could assume that the red SUV caused the accident, but it's not that simple.
If we look at the small white numbers in the black strip above the first photo, we can see that the Late Time, the amount of time that the SUV's signal had been red, was 0.2 second ("RTIME 0.2"). (For more info on how to read Late Times, see the purple box in Defect # 7 on the Home page.) The SUV's speed is indicated as 30 MPH, so in 0.2 sec. it would cover 9 feet. Thus, at the instant the signal turned red, the SUV was 9 feet or less behind the position depicted in the first photo, which would put about half of its length past the first line of the cross walk. In California and many other states, that would not be a violation. But in Arizona - it is a violation!
Why?
Arizona law says:
"...vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the intersection..."
and then goes on to define "intersection" as:
"...the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines...."
So, in Arizona you have to get the front of your car past the "prolongation" - the thinnest white line (I've added a yellow arrow in the second photo above) - before the light goes red, or it is a violation. And, since you are expected to actually make your stop before the crosswalk (so that you're not blocking pedestrians), the net effect is that you will have 12 - 15 feet less room (crosswalks are 10 -12 feet wide) to stop in Arizona than at a California intersection having the same length of yellow. That's equivalent to having a yellow that is 0.3 second shorter.
So who is responsible for this accident?
First we look at the sedan's actions. In the first photo, the light has been red for only 0.2 sec., but the front of the sedan is already well into the SUV's lane. To get there, the sedan traveled about 20 feet beyond its "safe" zone. If we guess that the sedan was moving at 10 MPH ( = 15 ft./sec.), it would have taken 1.3 sec. to move that distance. Or, if it was moving at 20 MPH, it would have taken 0.7 sec. Thus, the sedan began its turn at least 0.5 second before the light turned red.
Next we look at the SUV's actions. The first picture shows what appears to be a clear violation - the SUV is not yet past the limit line, and is facing a light that had been red for 0.2 second. But the SUV was braking hard at the time the first photo was taken, in response to the sedan having begun its turn some 0.7 sec. or more before. (The skid marks are visible in the second photo.) It's arguable that if the SUV had not been forced to brake, it would have made it to the limit line 0.2 sec. or more sooner, before the light went red.
I suggest that responsibility for this accident is shared by:
1. The City, which presumably knew that the unprotected left turning at the intersection was unsafe (they chose it as a camera location), and
2. The driver of the sedan, who carelessly began his left turn without checking to make sure that opposing traffic - which was not facing a red light at the time - had cleared the intersection.
Arizona's unusual Limit Line location seems to be a trap for visitors from out-of-state - and maybe even some Arizona residents. In Oct. 2007, I asked the Federal Highway Administration whether there was an effort being made to mandate a nationwide standard for the location of Limit Lines. They said "no" - that that the Federal government cannot dictate the states' traffic laws. They referred me to the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, which publishes a voluntary nationwide standard called the Uniform Vehicle Code. The UVC says:
"Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection..."
Source: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/dcsc/enfotech/redlight.htm
The photos (above) are from the UK. The caption for the photos said:
"The first image was taken at 4.5 seconds [Late Time]after the lights turned to red, the second was taken at 5.5 seconds."
Source: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/dcsc/enfotech/redlight.htm
The photos (above) are also from the UK. The caption said:
"The built up traffic suggests that the light has been red for some time and the pedestrian has already crossed half of the road."
However, the caption did not reveal the actual Late Time, and it is hard to read it in the photos. But, since the cumulative Late Time in the second photo is 10+ seconds ("R10x"), the Late Time in the first photo must be 9+ seconds.
Source: http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1240,q,547893,mpdcNav_GID,1552,mpdcNav,|31885|.asp
The photos above are from the website of the Washington, DC police department, which added the arrow pointing to the red light. The caption said:
"These photos were taken recently [June 2000] by the photo enforcement camera at the corner of New York and New Jersey Avenues, NW. They show just how dangerous it is to run red lights for both the offending driver as well as other motorists and pedestrians."
Note that the late time was 9.2 seconds, and that the location has three limit lines in quick succession as well as a lot of signage, which could confuse drivers. If this location is experiencing a lot of accidents, perhaps the design and marking of the intersection is a contributing factor.
Source: http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/images/rlc_1.jpg and http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/images/rlc_2.jpg
The photos above are from the website of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS did not provide a caption.
Note that the late times were 6+ and 7+ seconds.
Or, the Industry photos depict crashes where, after a little examination by the reader, it is clear that the running of a red light is not the primary cause.
I recently did a Google photo search (images.google.com) for "red light camera" and "photo enforcement" and came up with the following.
Source: October 2002 issue of ITS International (itsinternational.com)
The photo above has been widely circulated. It is from Ventura, California (Southbound Mills at Dean), and shows an imminent accident. Someone quickly reviewing the photo might assume it was caused entirely by the white car. However, if we look at the small white numbers in the black strip above the image, we can see that the Late Time, the amount of time that the white car's signal had been red, was 0.3 seconds ("TR 0.3"), and that the white car was in Lane 1. (For more info on how to read Late times, see the purple box in Defect # 7 on the Home page.) That short Late Time raises the question of how the green car got so far into the intersection so quickly after the onset of his green. Did he jump the green?
Furthermore, the speed of the white car is indicated as being 51 MPH ("VS 051 MPH") - so in 0.3 second it would cover 22 feet. Thus, at the instant the signal turned red, it would have been 22 feet or less behind the position depicted, probably with its nose well past the limit line - not a violation.
I suggest that responsibility for the accident is shared by:
1. The City, which presumably knew that the intersection was problematic (that's supposedly why they put the camera there), and should have had an "all red" interval of at least 0.5 second programmed in the signal, and
2. The driver of the green car, who apparently jumped his green light at high speed (note his skid marks).
On a couple occasions in the past, I have asked the Ventura PD about this photo. So far, no additional information has been provided. Maybe, now that I am publishing it with my interpretation, they will respond with their own interpretation.
Source: Washington Post, Nov. 15, 2004, Page B2 (washingtonpost.com)
The photo above, from Duke and Walker streets in Alexandria, Virginia, shows an imminent accident (unless everyone is very lucky). However, it should be noted that the Late Time was 8.1 seconds ("R081"), and that the limit lines have been worn away to the point where they could easily be overlooked, and that the signal lights are on the far side of the intersection..
Source: www.pedestrians.org/episodes/details31to60/episode31.htm
The photo above is from Mesa, Arizona. It should be noted that the Late Time was 33.4 seconds ("R334").
The next photo, below, is from the same intersection.
Source: www.pedestrians.org/episodes/details31to60/episode31.htm
This photo above is also from Mesa, the same intersection, one week later. Note that the Late Time was 45.2 seconds ("R452"). If drivers are totally failing to notice that the light is red, maybe the City needs to put up bigger lights, or more of them. These pictures were taken in 1997. It would be interesting to inquire as to what improvements the City has made to the intersection in the years since then.
Source: http://www.cityofmesa.org/police/traffic/redlight_photos.aspx
The three photos above are from a Aug. 17, 2006 crash in Mesa, Arizona and have been used extensively as a red light camera sales tool in other states. The MPD did not provide a caption or other information about the accident depicted.
Someone quickly reviewing the photos could assume that the red SUV caused the accident, but it's not that simple.
If we look at the small white numbers in the black strip above the first photo, we can see that the Late Time, the amount of time that the SUV's signal had been red, was 0.2 second ("RTIME 0.2"). (For more info on how to read Late Times, see the purple box in Defect # 7 on the Home page.) The SUV's speed is indicated as 30 MPH, so in 0.2 sec. it would cover 9 feet. Thus, at the instant the signal turned red, the SUV was 9 feet or less behind the position depicted in the first photo, which would put about half of its length past the first line of the cross walk. In California and many other states, that would not be a violation. But in Arizona - it is a violation!
Why?
Arizona law says:
"...vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the intersection..."
and then goes on to define "intersection" as:
"...the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines...."
So, in Arizona you have to get the front of your car past the "prolongation" - the thinnest white line (I've added a yellow arrow in the second photo above) - before the light goes red, or it is a violation. And, since you are expected to actually make your stop before the crosswalk (so that you're not blocking pedestrians), the net effect is that you will have 12 - 15 feet less room (crosswalks are 10 -12 feet wide) to stop in Arizona than at a California intersection having the same length of yellow. That's equivalent to having a yellow that is 0.3 second shorter.
So who is responsible for this accident?
First we look at the sedan's actions. In the first photo, the light has been red for only 0.2 sec., but the front of the sedan is already well into the SUV's lane. To get there, the sedan traveled about 20 feet beyond its "safe" zone. If we guess that the sedan was moving at 10 MPH ( = 15 ft./sec.), it would have taken 1.3 sec. to move that distance. Or, if it was moving at 20 MPH, it would have taken 0.7 sec. Thus, the sedan began its turn at least 0.5 second before the light turned red.
Next we look at the SUV's actions. The first picture shows what appears to be a clear violation - the SUV is not yet past the limit line, and is facing a light that had been red for 0.2 second. But the SUV was braking hard at the time the first photo was taken, in response to the sedan having begun its turn some 0.7 sec. or more before. (The skid marks are visible in the second photo.) It's arguable that if the SUV had not been forced to brake, it would have made it to the limit line 0.2 sec. or more sooner, before the light went red.
I suggest that responsibility for this accident is shared by:
1. The City, which presumably knew that the unprotected left turning at the intersection was unsafe (they chose it as a camera location), and
2. The driver of the sedan, who carelessly began his left turn without checking to make sure that opposing traffic - which was not facing a red light at the time - had cleared the intersection.
Arizona's unusual Limit Line location seems to be a trap for visitors from out-of-state - and maybe even some Arizona residents. In Oct. 2007, I asked the Federal Highway Administration whether there was an effort being made to mandate a nationwide standard for the location of Limit Lines. They said "no" - that that the Federal government cannot dictate the states' traffic laws. They referred me to the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, which publishes a voluntary nationwide standard called the Uniform Vehicle Code. The UVC says:
"Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection..."
Source: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/dcsc/enfotech/redlight.htm
The photos (above) are from the UK. The caption for the photos said:
"The first image was taken at 4.5 seconds [Late Time]after the lights turned to red, the second was taken at 5.5 seconds."
Source: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/dcsc/enfotech/redlight.htm
The photos (above) are also from the UK. The caption said:
"The built up traffic suggests that the light has been red for some time and the pedestrian has already crossed half of the road."
However, the caption did not reveal the actual Late Time, and it is hard to read it in the photos. But, since the cumulative Late Time in the second photo is 10+ seconds ("R10x"), the Late Time in the first photo must be 9+ seconds.
Source: http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1240,q,547893,mpdcNav_GID,1552,mpdcNav,|31885|.asp
The photos above are from the website of the Washington, DC police department, which added the arrow pointing to the red light. The caption said:
"These photos were taken recently [June 2000] by the photo enforcement camera at the corner of New York and New Jersey Avenues, NW. They show just how dangerous it is to run red lights for both the offending driver as well as other motorists and pedestrians."
Note that the late time was 9.2 seconds, and that the location has three limit lines in quick succession as well as a lot of signage, which could confuse drivers. If this location is experiencing a lot of accidents, perhaps the design and marking of the intersection is a contributing factor.
Source: http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/images/rlc_1.jpg and http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/images/rlc_2.jpg
The photos above are from the website of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS did not provide a caption.
Note that the late times were 6+ and 7+ seconds.
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