In October of 2014, the Abington Township implemented a Red Light Camera Program to three of their most dangerous intersections in an attempt to reduce red-light related crashes.
Almost two years since the program’s implementation, red light camera violations, combined, have dropped 48% at Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) intersections. Crashes have dropped 30% and crashes with injuries have dropped 29% overall.
The three intersections with red light camera enforcement technology are Old York Road and Susquehanna Road (all 4 directions); Old York Road and Old Welsh Road (all 4 directions); and Moreland Road and Fitzwatertown Road(2 directions on the Abington Township side, East Bound Moreland Road and North Bound Fitzwatertown Road). Theses locations were chosen based on the comparatively large number of violations, crashes, and especially injuries that occur there, The Township of Abington Police Department said in a press release.
“Red Light Camera photo enforcement is designed to encourage drivers to think twice before running a red light. Experience has indicated that in cities where Red Light Cameras operate, drivers also tend to obey the signals more frequently at non-camera intersection,” a township spokesperson wrote in reference to the efficacy of the program.
The Red Light Camera Program is “revenue neutral," which means that it generates no income for the Township. All fines go towards the cost of the program, and any extra charges go to a special PennDOT fund, which is earmarked for traffic safety grants throughout the Commonwealth of PA.
