Here’s an interesting piece from the internet news service Slate.

“Red-light cameras aren't just municipal moneymakers, according to a new study. They also save lives, reports the Washington Post. The presence of red-light cameras at intersections in 14 cities reduced fatalities by 13 percent over a five-year period, the study found.
“In Washington, D.C., the cameras lowered deaths by 26 percent. "We're hopeful this will stop some of the backlash against cameras," said Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that carried out the study by examining police reports. "Much of the attention to victims of the camera has been paid to people who received tickets. Hopefully, this will return the focus to the people who have been killed or injured by red-light running."
“The police reports showed that 64 percent of the people who died in red-light running accidents were not the people driving the cars, but other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. One downside to the cameras: They increase the number of (usually less serious) rear-end collisions as drivers screech to a halt to avoid an incriminating snapshot.”
That last one might look like a bit of a worry for motorcyclists, of course – but it seems that we don’t have to worry. The only people killed so far seem to be “the people driving the cars… [and] other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists”.
Motorcyclists must be too smart for them… just as well, really, because the “usually less serious” rear-enders are usually very serious for us!
Can’t wait for a report that assures us that speed cameras… sorry, “safety cameras” are saving lives too.

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming