Rochester Legal Issues Blog

Red light cameras have been widely used in New York and across the country in an attempt to cut down on the number of deaths and injuries caused by cars running through traffic signals. However, the systems have also come in for criticism because one of the major effects of the cameras is to send out tickets to violators. The cameras are positioned above traffic lights and capture photos of cars that speed through red lights, including their license plates. Without ever being stopped by police in person, violators receive a traffic ticket in the mail.

Running a red light is clearly a traffic violation, and the reason for this is backed up by the statistics. Each year, around 800 people across the country are killed in motor vehicle accidents linked to drivers violating red light laws, and thousands more are injured. Critics argue, however, that the camera systems aren't meant to make the roads safer; they simply aim to increase revenue. Opponents point to the implementation in some cities where hefty fines and red light cameras were combined with shortened yellow light timing. As a result, rear-end car crashes actually went up as drivers rushed to get through yellow lights and avoid a ticket.

Cell phones are not new technology, but the many ways in which they have changed our lives still feels new. Though they have improved communication and other parts of modern life in countless ways, they have also presented society with new challenges. Distracted driving is one of them.

Despite knowing the potential dangers, far too many people insist on using their cell phone while driving. Many states, including New York, have responded by outright banning cell phone use behind the wheel. Some instituted partial bans, based on the driver's age or the function performed on the phone, such as texting. Though these laws aren't going anywhere any time soon, some are questioning their efficacy, especially since statistics show that many people ignore the law.

While a number of technologies are being introduced into newer vehicles to help make the roads safer in New York and across the country, some road safety advocates warn that they may contribute to distracted driving. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, technologies like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist may make drivers more likely to feel that they can let the cars lead the way rather than staying fully aware of what is happening around them. While the foundation said that the technologies improve safety when operated correctly, it warned that many drivers fail to take proper precautions and put too much faith in automated systems to avoid a crash.

As a result, drivers' likelihood of causing a motor vehicle collision can actually increase when using these safety technologies. As the auto industry delves more deeply into technologies that could enable future fully autonomous driving, it has unveiled a number of enhancements that can make driving safer. However, today's vehicles are not self-driving cars. The human driver must remain fully aware of everything going on around them while operating a car with adaptive cruise control turned on and be ready to make decisions and take action at an instant's notice.

If you experienced serious injuries or lost a loved one in a New York car accident, you know how difficult the aftermath can be. In addition to your own physical suffering, you are also dealing with damage to your property, time away from work and bills that keep showing up in your mailbox. The financial impact is significant, and you may not be sure how you will pick up the pieces on your own.

In addition to these things, you may also find yourself suffering mentally and emotionally after an accident. A traumatic event can impact you in many ways, and while they may not be tangible, they are very real and very painful. In fact, you may be able to seek pain and suffering damages if you decide to move forward with a personal injury claim against the liable party.