The last word on red light cameras

D.C. police use photo radar cameras and red light cameras at such intersections as 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW. (Bill O'leary -- The Washington Post). Image from "D.C. Police Plan More Speed Cameras: Photo Radar Devices Generated Record $24 Million in Fines Last Year."

Erstwhile blogreader Phil Wolf writes:

Red-light camera intersections have seen an increase in minor rear-enders and a decrease in serious broadsides. The rear-enders result when you speed right up to the light hoping to make it, then slam on the brakes. What's the controversy about??

(This is the article from the Washington Post, DC Red-Light Cameras Fail to Reduce Accidents, that has people worked up on the columbia_heights@yahoogroups.com email list.)

The Metropolitan Police Department provides detailed maps of the locations of red light cameras and speed cameras.

Map of red light camera locations, Washington, DC. Source: Metropolitan Police Department.