You overestimate people's ability to time lights. I have absolutely seen people accelerate to "catch a yellow", and then fall into the red by a substantial peri

You overestimate people's ability to time lights. I have absolutely seen people accelerate to "catch a yellow", and then fall into the red by a substantial period of time. Where the only safety from an accident is that the crossing traffic was aware of them. http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/rlr.html http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/rlr.html In addition to reducing red light violations, cameras have been shown to reduce intersection crashes. In Oxnard, California, significant citywide crash reductions followed the introduction of red light cameras, and injury crashes at intersections with traffic signals were reduced by 29 percent.9 Front-into-side collisions — the crash type most closely associated with red light running — were reduced by 32 percent overall, and front-into-side crashes involving injuries were reduced by 68 percent. An Institute review of international red light camera studies concluded that cameras reduce red light violations by 40-50 percent and reduce injury crashes by 25-30 percent.10 Some studies have reported that while red light cameras reduce front-into-side collisions and overall injury crashes, they can increase rear-end crashes. Because the types of crashes prevented by red light cameras tend to be more severe than rear-end crashes, research has shown there is a positive aggregate benefit. Exactly what I said, though I got the requisite downvote from the came-from-Reddit "red light cameras are just money grabs!" ignorant crowd. Though I suppose the IIHS -- the foremost authority on traffic safety -- has less sway than various anecdotes.