STRAIGHT TALK LAW BLOG: MAKING TRAFFIC LIGHTS MORE SAFE BY SEATTLE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER JASON EPSTEIN

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I hope you’ve had a chance to read my recent article, “How Traffic Signals Can Cause Auto Accidents.” In particular, the section about how some cities have reduced the length of yellow traffic lights – in order to catch more drivers running red lights with automatic cameras – should be eye-opening to you.

As a personal injury lawyer in Seattle, Washington, I’m proud my state is attempting to stop this horrific practice with new legislation introduced by State Representative Chris Hurst. This legislation would both lock in a longer yellow light duration of four seconds, as well as cap the fine of a camera-caught driver running a red light at $25 (it’s currently $124 in Seattle).

The plain fact is that, even though traffic light cameras generate more revenue for communities, they may also cause more auto accidents, more personal injury cases and more wrongful deaths. Studies, including one done in Spokane and reported on in January 2010, demonstrate that the rise in auto accidents and injuries from traffic light cameras is real. In particular, there is a rise in rear-end collisions from cars slamming on the brakes suddenly at the first sign of a yellow light to avoid getting ticketed.

The Seattle Police Department, however, is still not so sure about those studies. They evaluated Seattle’s red light camera program after its second year of usage in 2008, and could not reach any definite conclusions as to the cameras’ affect on the auto accident rate. They did, however, say they did not have enough cameras operating and enough experience to make a real determination.

State Rep. Hurst, who has 25 years of experience in law enforcement, says that the timing of yellow lights is the most important part of his bill. By reducing the time of the yellow light, a few cities across America are causing more driver infractions and making more money from tickets. But cutting the yellow light’s duration definitely causes more auto accidents by forcing drivers to react more quickly than they’re comfortable with.
“Now they’re actually killing their citizens to make money off these things,” Hurst also commented in an article in “The Seattle Times.”
If that’s the case, we can only hope Hurst’s legislation passes in 2010 and guarantees the highest safety standards at all our traffic intersections.

For more free “Straight Talk Law” information, please visit my website at www.straighttalklaw.com, where you can order free books on personal injury lawyers, Washington auto and motorcycle accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by myself and my law practice in Seattle, Washington.