Chesapeake has joined Virginia Beach and Newport News, Virginia (VA), in operating red light camera systems in a response to the many severe and fatal car accidents that are occurring at intersections. According to the Virginian-Pilot, red light traffic cameras have been placed at the intersections of North Battlefield Boulevard and Campostella Road, Indian River Road and Sparrow Road, and Great Bridge Boulevard/Kempsville Road and North Battlefield Boulevard. Furthermore, a red light camera is soon to come at the intersection of North Battlefield Boulevard and Volvo Parkway.
In 2009 the Institute for Highway Safety reported that across the country, 676 people were killed and 130,000 were injured in crashes that involved a driver running a red light. The problem is that accidents which result from a driver running a red light are commonly angle or T-bone accidents. These types of accidents can cause massive injuries and even fatalities.
The possible consequences of running a red light are so frightening that traffic cameras are being used to encourage people to hit the brakes instead of the gas when they see a yellow light. Virginia Beach saw more than 1,500 T-bone accidents in 2010. Stopping at a red light is not optional, and refusal to do so will result in penalties.
OA
About the Editors: The Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.
