Red light cameras may be installed

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Red light runners beware, the Springfield City Council has passed a bill that could put red light cameras at busy intersections.

Does Springfield have a problem with drivers running red lights? Well, 22News captured video near the “X” in Springfield of a driver going right through the red light.

And that's why some residents are excited about the red light cameras.

“I think it's a great idea, I think there's a lot of bad drivers in Springfield and whatever we can do to get people to slow down and pay attention to traffic rules can be a good thing,” said Dan Garte of Springfield.

The cameras would be set up at busy intersections throughout the city.

If someone runs a red light it would snap a picture of the license plate and send you a ticket. And for someone who's been in an accident due to a red light runner like Neale Golden, he's all for it.

“I've seen a lot of accidents, I got hit head on that way I am adamantly opposed to running a red light and I think anything they can do to get these people off the road they should do,” said Neale Golden of Springfield.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2009, 676 people were killed and an estimated 130,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. Further proving how dangerous red light running can be.

“Definitely, because it causes accidents, people have to be cautious, you can catch someone if there's an accident at least you have it on camera,” said one driver.

Although most of the people we spoke with were in favor of having red light cameras in the city, especially in areas like the “X”, but there are still reasons why people are against them.

Some may not like the idea of "Big Brother" watching. And these cameras may not actually make accidents less likely.

One study found that while right angle crashes decreased by 25 percent, rear end collisions increased by 15 percent.

Some states, like Wisconsin have even gone as far as to ban the use of red light cameras.
The bill now goes to the state legislature for approval.