NCJ Number
177772
Date Published
May 1998
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Benefits of using technology to automate traffic law enforcement and to improve highway safety are discussed.
Abstract
The two main automated traffic law enforcement systems in operational use are photo radar and red light systems. The photo radar system combines a radar system with a camera system and is usually mounted in some type of trailer or vehicle. This system has the advantage of being mobile and can be moved from one location to another. Drawbacks of the system are that it generally requires a police officer to monitor the system while it is being used. The red light system is connected to traffic signals and sensors are buried in the pavement at the crosswalk or limit line. This system constantly monitors traffic signals, and the camera itself is triggered by a vehicle passing over the sensors above a preset minimum speed and at a specified time after the signal has turned red. Studies on the effectiveness of automated traffic law enforcement technologies and public perceptions of these technologies are reported. Legal issues associated with the use of automated traffic law enforcement systems in California are examined, as well as the effectiveness of these systems. 29 endnotes