MT. JULIET, Tenn. -
Red light cameras have become very popular across Middle Tennessee and the country.
But the question on whether or not they are an effective way to prevent accidents depends on which study you read or who you ask.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), red light cameras do help reduce fatal accidents at red lights, but a new study from researchers at the University of South Florida reports the opposite.
Tennessee is one of about 25 states that use red light cameras, acording to IIHS.
"I have a good opinion view about the red light cameras as a police officer, because they are out there 24/7 on those intersections, and I can't be at an intersection 24/7," Sgt. Tyler Chandler with the Mt. Juliet Police Department.
He told Nashville's News 2 the red light cameras in Mt. Juliet are a very effective tool for lowering accidents.
"Last year, we only had six traffic crashes at those intersections with photo enforcement, which was down from previous years, and on those traffic crashes, there were no fatalities or major injury," he said.
In order to remain objective though, Chandler said no one in the department knows how much money the cameras generate in fines.
"The main reason we want the system in place was because of the extra benefit of enforcement, the force multiplier of it, and to raise awareness about the safety of those intersections," he said.
City commissioners voted in 2011 to not renew the contract for the red light cameras in the city.
The contract will expire in 2013.
If a driver is caught by an officer running a red light, the fine is $200.
The fine is $50 if only caught on camera.
