Study Shows Red-Light Camera Enforcement Saves Children’s Lives

A new study has found a correlation between red-light violations and the rising number of traffic fatalities involving children in states that prohibit red-light cameras, like Wisconsin.

The study, presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), analyzed four years of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to understand child mortality rates in traffic accidents. It found that red light cameras and child-restraint use played a role in increased fatal accidents.

The study’s data included 18,116 children who were 15-years-old or younger and were involved in fatal accidents. Nearly 16 percent of the children included in the study had been killed in a car accident.

The AAP argued that when red-light camera enforcement programs were shut down, traffic fatalities, including children, increased. AAP’s study used research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that showed fatal traffic accidents rose by 30 percent in states where red-light camera enforcement programs had ended.

In some cities, like Houston, the amount of fatal accidents almost tripled once the camera enforcement devices were removed.

According to the study, mortality rates of children in fatal car accidents varied from .25 percent per 100,000 in urbanized states with stronger safety-enforcement programs, such as red-light cameras, to 3.20 per 100,000 in more rural states, with underdeveloped roads and lax child-safety initiatives.

Safety precaution devices used in cars to secure children, such as seatbelts and car seats, drastically reduce the fatality rate of children in car accidents, according to the study.

The AAP estimates that increasing the use of seat belts or child safety restraints by 10 percent nationally could save the lives of more than 1,500 children over a five year period.

Ensuring the safety of children is an important initiative that the car accident attorneys at PKSD strongly advocate. If you or someone you love has been in a car accident and received injuries due to a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation and a review of your claim to determine if you have a case.

Call 414-333-3333 or fill out a Free Case Evaluation to get started.