WOKV INVESTIGATES: Sheriff stands by red light cameras despite some crash increases

WOKV was the first to tell you that Jacksonville’s red light cameras weren’t seeing the promised results when it comes to your safety.

Our initial investigation uncovered that many of the intersections monitored by red light cameras were actually seeing a rise in crashes after the cameras were installed. Specifically, the number of rear end crashes is up nearly across-the-board. You can find a full breakdown of those numbers attached to the left.

Following my investigation and detailed records request, Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford called together all local media stations to address the performance of cameras, and admitted to the mixed bag of results so far. He says that’s not, however, entirely unexpected.

Rear end collision rise

Records we obtained show that among the crashes taking place at intersections monitored by red light cameras, there has been a nearly across-the-board increase in rear end crashes. Among that, some of the increases are substantial, like a 43 crash/105% increase at Baymeadows and Southside and 30 crash/103% increase at Atlantic and Monument. The statistics compare the same amount of time before and after camera installation.

Rutherford says the increase isn’t entirely unexpected.

“That’s kind of been the history of video red light enforcement all over the country,” he says.

He says with time he thinks more drivers will adapt and rear end crashes will fall.

“People got used to running the red light, and now when somebody in front of them stops, they’re surprised,” he says.

I pointed out, however, that some of the cameras which have been in place the longest are the ones seeing the most substantial increases, but the Sheriff attributes that to the higher volume of traffic at the intersections to begin with. When I further asked whether red light cameras can, in fact, be effective at those intersections, he still said yes.

The high point

The one thing Rutherford is hanging on to right now is that, among the crashes occurring, many intersections have seen a fall in side impact- which are typically the more dangerous form of crash.

In fact, I asked Rutherford what he would have to see to begin questioning whether the red light camera program isn’t working.

“If side impacts went up, I would agree at some point we need to look at whether it’s worth the investment of even two officers,” he says.

The records obtained by WOKV show that while most of the intersections have seen a drop in side impact, some have seen a rise including a 10 crash/43% increase at Beach and Southside and 7 crash/78% increase at Beach and I-295. I asked the Sheriff what could be done to stop that rise, and he said he didn’t believe there was anything to do specifically with this program

“There is no silver bullet to traffic crashes,” Rutherford says.

He says the number of people running red lights is down and that is a clear indication that intersections are safer. Rutherford didn’t refute, however, when I said seeing the mixed showed not everywhere was safer. There was also no information immediately available on whether the number of crash fatalities has changed since cameras were installed.

Counting on you

Rutherford says, from JSO’s perspective, there are efforts to improve driver education that can be done. He says in light of the numbers shown in WOKV’s investigation, they are trying to step up some education efforts.  In fact, over the last two weeks that I’ve been requesting information relating to this investigation, JSO has launched a weekly “Red Light Runner” awareness video where they post a violation on their YouTube page.

“That’s the message [to drivers], stop at the intersection,” he says.

When Rutherford said that was their main push right now, I asked why he expected drivers to obey that message more consistently now when they haven’t for the past year and a half since the first cameras went up. He says he hopes drivers are starting to let fewer distractions interfere while behind the wheel, and that will help.

He also hopes to see drivers be cautious not just when approaching intersections, but when sitting at a red light as well. He’s calling on you to be sure the intersection is clear even after you have a green light to ensure you won’t be faced with a red light runner. The Sheriff’s Office is hoping to see crash avoidance technology installed at several intersections, but has no timeline for when that will be completed.

There was little much else offered when I continued to press for any specific changes that could come in order to make the cameras safer. There are currently three more cameras slated to be installed in Jacksonville. Rutherford instead said they are consistently coming up with ideas that could increase awareness.

Cost to you

Without many clear changes being offered, I asked Rutherford whether this was, in fact, the best investment for your safety.

Jacksonville tax payers didn’t foot the bill for installing the cameras, and according to Rutherford the contract with the third party vendor is designed so that if there is no revenue coming from the cameras, Jacksonville is not on the hook. The Sheriff’s Office does, however, have three officers who review all of the footage of violations to make sure a red light was actually run.

Paying for the salaries, benefits, etc for those officers comes out of the JSO budget- money that could alternatively be committed to officers on the street.

“If we save one or two lives, that’s worth the cost of a couple of light duty officers,” he says.

Moving forward

For now, and until side impact numbers show any significant change, Rutherford says he still fully supports the red light camera program.  Following our investigation, he says there will be more education efforts to encourage drivers to obey the law, but he would not support efforts to stop installing cameras or shut down the ones that are on.

We’ve requested more information about the length of the current contract with the red light camera provider to see how long Jacksonville has already committed to this program. We’ll update you as that information becomes available.

We also want to know what you think about the program and the Sheriff's response. Send an "Open Mic" through our new app available for free download on iPhone and Android devices. You can also weigh in on our Facebook. You can also contact me directly at stephanie.brown@coxinc.com.