Protecting Pedestrians: Rockville's Red Light Cameras Result in Safer Intersections

While not necessarily the most popular new traffic safety measure among those ticketed, the red light camera initiative in Rockville has produced an impressive drop in violations at the city’s busiest intersections, according to Rockville Police Chief T.N. Treschuk.

“With anything like this, there are going to be mixed reviews,” said Treschuk. “Obviously, the people who receive the tickets aren’t happy, but the people who see those drivers run red lights are happy to see them get caught.”

As of May 7, there were five fatal pedestrian-related incidents in Montgomery County. Rockville's red light cameras are aimed at changing poor driving practices, such as running red lights and improper right-on-red turns, thatcontribute to pedestrian injuries and deaths.

“People aren't zooming through lights in my neighborhood anymore, so I think they're a good thing to have,” said Rockville resident Margaret Hackman.

From October 2012 to March 2013, there was a 56 percent drop in citations issued at the westbound intersection of West Gude Drive and Research Boulevard. Other Rockville intersections saw citation drops of 55 percent, 33 percent and 8 percent in that same time period.

“That drop in violations shows that less people are running red lights, which makes those intersections much safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers," Treschuk said.

There are red light cameras at eight intersections throughout Rockville, and the plan is to add two more. Treschuk said police “selected the intersections that needed them the most” and he added that there likely won’t be more cameras implemented after the ninth and 10th.

Violators caught by the red light cameras are subject to $75 fines, though the violations do not result in points on the vehicle owners’ driving record. Insurance companies are also unable to consider the violations when calculating insurance rates.

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Related Content:

• Protecting Pedestrians: Enforcement and Educational Efforts Keep Pedestrians Safe
• Protecting Pedestrians: Speed Camera Locations in Montgomery County
• Protecting Pedestrians: Fatal Accidents and Traffic Cameras