Tenn. Police Say Red-Light Cams Decrease Wrecks

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --

Murfreesboro police said the six red-light cameras in the city free up 18 officers to perform other important work. New numbers regarding the tickets issued were recently released, and police hope their crash reduction trend continues.

"As busy as the town is, (wrecks are) one deterrent that they have because everyone knows they are there," said Murfreesboro resident Tony Pierce.

Pierce is a former volunteer fireman who said he is always on alert when approaching intersections in Murfreesboro.

Since installing the cameras in the summer of 2008, about 27,700 tickets have been issued in the city.

"To me, it's a shock that they are doing that number of tickets and people are still doing it," said Pierce.

"That number is a huge number. That means 27,000 people have run a red light," said Murfreesboro Officer Kyle Evans.

From July to December 2008 there were 100 total crashes at the red-light camera locations. In 2009, there were 94 crashes at the locations, a 6 percent decrease. There were 33 side-angle crashes during the same time period in 2008, and 27 in 2009, an 18.18 percent reduction.

"Those are the more dangerous type of crashes. Whenever there is a reduction in those, we are accomplishing our goals one day at a time," said Evans.

There were 52 rear-end collisions in 2007 during that July to December time period. That number increased nearly 29 percent in 2008 with 67 rear-end crashes. There was no change in 2009.

State lawmakers will be considering a bill this legislative session regarding red-light cameras. Some feel they are unconstitutional and merely a revenue generator.

"I realize that some of the Legislature feels it is a personal rights issue," said city of Murfreesboro spokesman Chris Shofner. "No, it's not a revenue generator; it's to improve safety at the intersection."

Murfreesboro city officials defend the cameras, as does Pierce.

"It's a necessary evil that helps out our force. They are stretched thin as it is," said Pierce.

Murfreesboro police said there are no concrete plans to add more red-light cameras. They would like to collect three years of data to show the effectiveness of the red-light cameras.

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