“Research by IIHS and others has shown consistently that automated enforcement curbs dangerous driving behaviors and reduces crashes,” says IIHS President David Harkey. 1/

A new checklist released today by @AAAnews, @SafeRoadsNow, @GHSAHQ, IIHS and @NSCsafety can serve as a roadmap for communities that are establishing or expanding automated enforcement programs. 2/

“We hope this document developed with our highway safety partners will help communities take full advantage of this tool,” adds IIHS's Harkey. 3/

In 2019, 9,478 deaths occurred in speed-related crashes. Higher speeds make crashes more likely and make the crashes that happen more severe. https://www.iihs.org/topics/speed#overview 4/

In 2019, 846 people were killed and an estimated 143,000 were injured in red light running crashes. Most of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles. https://www.iihs.org/topics/red-light-running 5/

Some 340 U.S. communities currently operate red light cameras, down from more than 500 during 2011-14. Speed cameras are less widespread. https://www.iihs.org/topics/red-light-running#communities-using-red-light-cameras 6/

Do RLC cameras work? Institute studies in Oxnard, California, and Fairfax, Virginia, reported reductions in red light violation rates of about 40% after the introduction of red light cameras. https://www.iihs.org/topics/red-light-running#effectiveness-of-cameras 7/

What about speed cameras? IIHS studies of cameras on residential roads in Maryland, on a high-speed roadway in Arizona and on city streets in D.C. found that the proportion of drivers exceeding speed limits by more than 10 mph declined by 70, 88 and 82% respectively. 8/

“Well-designed and implemented automated enforcement programs can deter these hazardous driving behaviors and reduce crash deaths and injuries," says Cathy Chase of @SafeRoadsNow 9/

Cathy Chase: AE "can also provide an equitable, neutral option for upgrading safety. We urge states and localities to use this checklist together with road safety infrastructure improvements to help protect motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.” 10/

The new checklist aims to address some common concerns about cameras. Public support for the programs can erode when they are poorly run or when people believe their purpose is to generate revenue rather than to prevent crashes. 11/

Safety and transparency should guide all decisions about camera programs. If the cameras are doing their jobs, communities should expect revenue to decline over time as fewer drivers violate speed limits or run red lights. 12/

Automated enforcement should be viewed as one tool among many that can be used to make roads and intersections safer. Read more and view the full checklist here: https://go.iihs.org/AE-Checklist  13/13