I found this little gem on Reddit yesterday. It’s a release by the National Motorists Association (NMA) touting the results of recent studies which suggest that red-light cameras actually increase the number of accidents at intersections where they are installed. It’s not surprising that the NMA would support such findings. Their agenda includes a lot of bright ideas about eliminating those pesky safety measures like the 55mph National Maximum Speed Limit, traffic cameras, and DUI roadblocks. Actually they oppose any form of roadblock. From their website, www.motorists.org,

“The only justification for stopping citizens under a roadblock scenario is to warn them of an unseen peril that could cause injury or death to an unsuspecting motorist.”

Sounds like a fun bunch. I’ll bet the militia guys would love this. I couldn’t find an NRA link on the website, but did notice that the NMA’s logo also featured an eagle. The only difference is that instead of holding a rifle the NMA’s eagle is surveying the highway waiting to swoop down and attack any motorist who would dare to defy the “realistic speed laws.” You can’t make this stuff up.

Sadly, it’s real. Motorists who are sick of ‘The Man’ and his ‘rules’ can go to the NMA for refuge and find like minded imbeciles, who will share with them the joy of an open country road, an open carburetor, and an open can of beer. Isn’t that what America is all about? Freedom? Hopefully, not that kind of freedom.

The NMA’s most recent press release targeted those crazy freedom haters that we all know as red-light cameras. Studies seem to suggest that red-light cameras actually make roads more dangerous. The release points to five case studies which all seem to have the same conclusion; that, at intersections where red-light cameras are installed, the amount of rear-end and side collisions increase due to drivers stopping short to avoid persecution. What it does not mention is the fact that most motorists are not traveling at or under the posted speed limit, and therefore, cannot stop safely when a light changes. Of course, this is one of the NMA’s biggest complaints; that most drivers don’t follow the existing speed limit postings so they need to be raised to reflect current driving trends. That’s like saying we should add more trans fat to our foods because the majority of Americans are obese. The release also neglects to mention that drivers are constantly preforming basic bodily functions like eating and shaving while simultaneously taking conference calls. If these studies prove anything it’s that drivers will use any means, including stopping short, to avoid receiving a legal infraction against their driving tactics, and thus an attack on their abilities, both to drive and to juggle a latte, cell phone, and Schick razor.

So what does this have to do with bikes in New Haven? The government of New Haven has flirted with the idea of installing red-light cameras at dangerous intersections for quite some time. Members of our very own bicycling advocacy group, Elm City Cycling, have shown majority support for the efforts. Supporters have used the other hundreds of studies that show a decrease in accidents at intersections with red-light cameras. I don’t think it’s much of a debate any longer. It’s pretty obvious that red-light cameras make our roads safer, not only for motorists, but for cyclists and pedestrians as well. There are still some, including the NMA and various bearded recluses, who oppose red-light cameras, on the grounds that they violate the fourth amendment which includes protection against unreasonable search and seizure. In the ongoing war to sustain and improve our civil liberties, you have to pick your battles, and this one just doesn’t make sense.

Despite all this, I think a lot of people are still missing the point. Traffic cameras may make particular intersections safer, but they do not account for the generally reckless behavior that most drivers exhibit. Red-light cameras will probably not make people slow down, especially if drivers aren’t aware of them. This is why the NMA was able to find data that showed rear end accidents increased at specific intersections. These were places where drivers were aware of the cameras, and where they performed dangerous maneuvers to ensure that they were able to stop before the light changed to red, and thus avoided legal persecution. Of course, scenarios like this would be much less frequent if drivers followed posted speed limit laws and were more attentive to the task at hand because, though it may come as a surprise to most, driving does require ones full attention. Cyclists and bike commuters need to be aware as well. We also have the additional task of being defensive and effectively fighting for survival on the roadways. Prosecution of speeders, and dare I say, a further reduction of speed limits, will make traveling the streets of New Haven even more enjoyable than it already is.

Before I go, I have one more treasure from the NMA website. It’s a brief introduction to the President of the NMA, which should give you some idea of where they’re coming from.

James J. Baxter—President
I would like to claim to be the valedictorian of my high school class, that I attended Harvard for my undergraduate studies and did my graduate work at Oxford. That would be slight fabrication. Somewhat closer to the truth would be my D-plus high school average where I specialized in wood shop.

‘Nuff said.