Crashes down at camera locations

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Crashes are down at intersections in Austin where red light cameras are up and running. Overall, crashes at red light camera intersections are down forty percent since the cameras went online more than a year ago.

"The preliminary numbers are very encouraging," said Austin Police Sergeant Kris Thompson. "We as a police department, as a city, feel encouraged by the fact that the crashes seem to be down at the majority of the intersections."

The numbers show a decrease in crashes between January and June of 2009, as compared to the same time in 2008.

"It's about changing the culture of how people drive, how they react when they come upon red lights and we're optimistic that they're helping to improve overall safety on our roadways," said Sgt. Thompson.

Crashes are up slightly at the Mopac and U.S. 290 intersection, rising from two in 2008 to four in 2009. At the intersection of I-35 and 15th street, crashes went up from two in 2008 to eight in 2009.

Shirley McKinney drives through the 15th street intersection almost daily.

"They are a good idea, but it needs a lot more work," she said. When asked if she thought the cameras would help change drivers' behavior, Shirley responded, "No, it may change some- but not enough- hopefully in time, it will deter some."

The majority of the crashes since the cameras went up have been minor or no injury crashes, which Austin police say means the cameras are doing what they're designed to do, which is to stop those more serious T-bone crashes.

"I attribute that to people paying better attention and absolutely that's the whole message," said Sergeant Thompson.

There are currently 11 red light camera intersections in Austin.