Traffic cameras- are they useful or more detrimental to drivers on the road?

Traffic cameras began in the mid ‘60s but did not progress into digital means until the 90’s. It was during this time, when the expansion of technological innovations such as these was fully being taken notice by local, state, and federal agencies. The idea was these cameras could not only deter individuals from running red lights, but actually bring in revenue for the respective states.
According to the Washington Post, “despite producing more than 500,000 tickets (and generating over $32 million in revenues), red-light cameras didn't reduce injuries or collisions but rather increased the number.” The problem here is that while revenue has increased significantly in areas where traffic cameras had been implemented, it also seems to indicate that an increase in rear ended collisions are directly proportional to that increase. Why? Simply because many drivers who approach camera lights often fear receiving a ticket and apply their brakes suddenly; thus resulting in a rear ended collision.
Apart from increased revenue, traffic cameras allow officers to focus on other duties in which may serve a more beneficial use apart from simply issuing tickets. Speed cameras have already been implemented in many countries such as Canada, Brazil, and Portugal, and have begun to appear in the U.S. as well. Such cameras are adding to the comfort of increased revenue and reallocation of officers’ duties but such actions do not actually reduce speeding. Individuals approaching an intersection with a red light camera or areas with speed cameras may simply reduce their behavior in that particular location but as a whole, the cameras serve no educational tool to reduce such actions.
Now that red light cameras and speed cameras have begun to expand, it seems that stop sign cameras may not be too far off. One prospective idea on how a stop sign camera could work is by adding pressure pads to the limit lines of a stop sign; thus forcing a vehicle to remain in that position for the weight to balance out to trigger a green light, indicating that a successful stop was established. If a vehicle were to ignore the indicator, a picture may be taken. While this may seem rather absurd, chances are something of this nature may be in the cross hairs as increasing revenue for the cities and states, would aid in lowering state’s debts, and what state is opposed to that?

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