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AA Motoring Affairs Manager Mike Noon - Source: Breakfast -
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The AA is calling for red light cameras to be rolled out around the country following an "outstanding" trial.
The report on the pilot, undertaken in Auckland's CBD from 2008 to 2011, monitored and assessed the impact of the cameras on red light running, including the impact on crashes and pedestrian injuries.
Mike Noon, motoring affairs manager for the AA, told TV ONE's Breakfast the results were "outstanding".
On average, red light running crashes decreased by 69% and there was an estimated 93% reduction in the social cost of crashes.
There was a 43% reduction in people running red lights.
Moon also said the study showed an estimated economic benefit cost ratio of 8.2: 1 - meaning every dollar spent on the cameras received $8.2 back.
The standard fine for running a red light is $150 and 20 demerit points.
To conduct the trial, two red light cameras were installed and rotated between 10 CBD intersections in Auckland where a high number of crashes were recorded due to red light running.
Moon says it's an initiative that needs to be enforced throughout New Zealand.
"These are quite serious crashes and we can prevent them.
"We've got innocent people being hit, being hurt. We're in an election year and we're calling on all the parties to say 'look this is something we can fix for road safety right now'," he said.
The study showed 75% of Aucklanders support the use of red light cameras as a means of reducing crash risk.
"Everybody has had that experience where they're trying to go through that light on their green and nearly being collected by someone coming through on a red. It's not a happy place to be. So I think the public has a very low tolerance for this," Noon said.
He added that while the trial was covert, the AA believed painted cameras with signs would also reduce red light running.
Glen Koorey, an NZTA transport lecturer at Canterbury University who also appeared on Breakfast, said the results in New Zealand were better than those from overseas studies.
"It's all about driver behaviour - it's about saying you can't sneak that extra second through the intersection," he said.
Koorey added drivers would still be able to appeal their fines.
The red light cameras currently used in Auckland will remain in use while a national policy is looked at.
What do you think? Are red light cameras a good idea? Comment below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentpetegolfer said on 2011-09-30 @ 13:11 NZDT: Report abusive post
Fantastic idea but why are so many people saying it is a new concept ?? Red light cameras were introduced into Auckland in the mid 1980s and were a roaring success then - what idiot removed them and why do we now think this is a new and radical idea ??
joebloggy said on 2011-09-30 @ 12:53 NZDT: Report abusive post
Great! Red light runners are one of the biggest worries on the motorcycle.
Wasserman said on 2011-09-30 @ 12:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is a great idea! I spend a lot of time on the road, and so often when I have a green light, I have to wait while two, three or more cars blatantly run their red light. I no longer proceed on a green light without checking first to see if the way is clear. It seems to have become an accepted practice while driving in Auckland.
RyanH said on 2011-09-30 @ 11:42 NZDT: Report abusive post
Red light cameras are a good idea - far too many people run them. I think the NZTA really needs to sort out the red turning arrows as well though, you just spend way too much time sitting there waiting for them when there is a clear road ahead. Maybe they could be turned off outside rush hours or at night?