California Vehicle Code allows for the installation of traffic cameras that capture vehicles that are running a red light. This information could be extremely important for a pedestrian, motorcyclists or a car driver or passenger who was struck by someone who runs a red light, when that at fault party ultimately leaves the scene of the accident.

A hit and run accident can make it extremely challenging to identify the person who is responsible. Currently, only 43 cities throughout California use red light traffic cameras. A Federal Highway Administration study from 2005 indicated that red light cameras reduce the number of deadly and dangerous right-angle collisions between vehicles that are traveling in separate directions.

A small short-term increase in rear-end collisions was noted in that study because drivers who were going too fast did attempt to stop rather than run the red light. The purpose of many of these red-light traffic cameras is not to monitor speeding, just to catch vehicles who enter into the intersection when the light is red.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found in 2009 that those cities that had red light cameras reduced the fatal red light running accident rate by as much as 21%. This may be seen as an effective way to discourage the running of a red light. If you have recently been injured in an accident because another party ran a red light and struck your car, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim and to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.