With an alarming 30% increase in roadway fatalities over the past decade, reaching 42,795 in 2022 from 32,893 in 2013, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has issued a compelling call to action. In a report released on December 6, 2023, GHSA urges communities to deploy automated enforcement programs leveraging traffic cameras, presenting a technology-driven solution to address the surge in preventable traffic crashes.
GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins expressed the urgent need for intervention, stating, “We’re losing far too many of our friends and loved ones to preventable traffic crashes. Safety cameras can help change that.” The report underscores the historical effectiveness of technology in improving road safety, drawing parallels with advancements like airbags, breathalyzers, and radar speed displays. Now, GHSA contends that a new era of technological solutions is imperative to counteract the dangerous driving behaviors contributing to the concerning rise in traffic fatalities.
Technological Advances in Road Safety
GHSA identifies three major automated enforcement technologies crucial for enhancing road safety:
- Speeding Enforcement Systems: Aimed at curbing the perilous practice of speeding, these systems employ technology to detect and deter drivers exceeding specified speed limits.
- Red-Light Running Systems: Designed to address violations at intersections, these systems use cameras to identify vehicles that run red lights, promoting adherence to traffic signals.
- Aggressive Driving Systems: Targeting aggressive driving behaviors, these systems leverage technology to identify and discourage actions such as tailgating and abrupt lane changes.
The association contends that a new wave of technological advancements is essential, with automated enforcement playing a pivotal role in combatting behaviors leading to preventable traffic crashes.
Funding Opportunities and Legislative Support
Historically, funding automated traffic enforcement programs posed a challenge for municipalities, as federal highway money could not be allocated for this purpose. However, the scenario changed with President Biden’s “Build America Buy America Act,” which lifted the ban on using federal funds for these programs. This legislative change allows up to 10% of the allocated $15.6 billion for highway safety programs over five years to be directed toward non-infrastructure programs, including the purchase, operation, or maintenance of automated traffic enforcement systems.
GHSA Senior Director of External Engagement Pam Fischer emphasized the significance of this funding shift, stating, “The fatality numbers are higher than they’ve been in many, many years. We need to use as many resources as we possibly can to address the problem.”
Changing Behaviors and Privacy Concerns
Fischer highlighted the impact of automated enforcement on changing driving behaviors, noting that technology serves as an effective countermeasure against speeding, red-light running, and aggressive driving. While acknowledging privacy concerns associated with automated enforcement, GHSA maintains that, according to the legal community, these programs do not violate citizens’ legal right to privacy.
Addressing privacy issues proactively, Fischer clarified, “This technology is not about invading your privacy. It’s about making sure everyone using the roadway system, driving vehicles, is doing so in a manner that’s safe, not only for ourselves but for everybody else.”
Equitable Enforcement and Potential Criticisms
The report acknowledges the potential for automated enforcement programs to be controversial, raising issues about privacy and targeting disadvantaged populations. Critics argue that surveillance may disproportionately impact low-income communities and infringe on individual privacy rights.
Rob Enderle, President and Principal Analyst with the Enderle Group, noted, “Any camera poses a privacy concern. The benefit — which is tied to lower cost for enforcement and potentially safer roads — has to exceed these concerns.”
GHSA, however, contends that automated enforcement has the potential to create a more equitable system, providing a racially neutral and unbiased alternative to traditional enforcement methods. Fischer added that the technology is not about invading privacy but about ensuring safe road use for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.
How Do We Expect Preventable Traffic Crashes to Reduce?
The mandate for automated traffic enforcement programs raises hopes for a substantial reduction in preventable traffic crashes. The expectation is that the implementation of technology-driven solutions, targeting issues such as speeding, red-light running, and aggressive driving, will act as a deterrent. As individuals receive timely and enforceable penalties through automated systems, the goal is to witness behavioral changes among drivers. Many proponents argue that the history of such programs shows that individuals often learn from their first violation and adjust their driving habits accordingly, contributing to safer road conditions.
Pros and Cons of the Mandate
Pros:
- Efficient Deterrent: Automated enforcement has proven to be an efficient deterrent against dangerous driving behaviors. Many individuals who receive traffic tickets through automated programs are less likely to repeat violations.
- Cost-Effective: Automated enforcement offers a cost-effective solution for traffic law enforcement, potentially reducing the financial burden on traditional policing resources.
- Equitable Application: When implemented correctly, automated enforcement can offer a racially neutral and unbiased application, ensuring fair treatment for all drivers.
Cons:
- Privacy Concerns: The use of cameras for automated enforcement raises privacy concerns, with critics arguing that surveillance technologies invade individuals’ privacy rights.
- Potential Disproportionate Impact: Critics argue that automated enforcement may disproportionately impact low-income populations, leading to financial hardships for individuals receiving fines.
- Alternative Solutions: Some argue that there are alternative solutions, such as traffic-calming road modifications, that could achieve better safety without resorting to surveillance.
As the mandate unfolds, ongoing discussions are likely to focus on striking a balance between the benefits of enhanced road safety through automation and addressing concerns related to privacy, equity, and potential impacts on disadvantaged communities. The road ahead involves navigating these complexities to ensure the effective and equitable implementation of automated traffic enforcement programs across communities.
The Road Ahead: What to Expect
GHSA sees automated enforcement as a crucial tool in addressing the unprecedented rise in traffic fatalities. With the mandate allowing federal funding to support these programs, states now have the resources to leverage technology for safer roads. GHSA emphasizes that preventing crashes and making city streets safer is a worthwhile goal, and automated enforcement programs can play a pivotal role in achieving this objective.
