Laments against speed and red-light cameras in the local news may suggest that Americans overwhelmingly hate automated traffic enforcement — but that’s not true. Rather, surveys have found broad public support for installing more cameras, in large part because they work, argues contributor David Zipper. 

Studies show they’re effective at reducing crashes and deterring dangerous driving behavior. Cameras can help enforce all kinds of traffic laws beyond speed limits, like requiring cars to stop for a school bus offloading kids. They also have added benefits over police enforcement, which can often be biased or escalate into violence. That’s not to say that some camera deployments haven’t been problematic, but as Zipper writes, “the common assumption that traffic cameras are widely despised is based on vibes rather than data.” Today on CityLab: Automated Traffic Enforcement Is More Popular Than You Think

— Linda Poon

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