A tall – but not impenetrable – wall separates believers in the efficacy of red light cameras from skeptics, or as some would say, deniers.
Specific data has been scarce regarding the safety difference that cameras have made at intersections since their popularity took off at the turn of the century.
Personally, former City Councilman Andy Weissman has green-lighted the concept from the start.
He served as a judge in the early days of these cases when traffic court occupied the Overland Avenue premises now owned by the Mayme Clayton Library and Museum.
“I don’t have much sympathy for people who complain that it is unfair that they get ticketed at 3 in the morning,” Mr. Weissman says.
When he is tooling about the community, Mr. Weissman is paying close attention.
“I am still of the opinion, based on what we have been told by our police as well as what I have observed, anecdotally from being out and about, that there are fewer major-injury collisions as a result of red light cameras,” he says.
“I am talking about comparing the same intersections before we had red light cameras.
“The safety issue is the predominant one,” Mr. Weissman, a lawyer with four decades of experience, says.
“I am not saying it doesn’t exist, but I never have seen evidence to the contrary.”
