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Reliability of red-light cameras ensured by police
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Thu, Feb 07, 2008
The Straits Times
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WE REFER to Mr Wong Bheet Huan's letter, 'Help motorists not to beat the red light' (ST, Jan 26), and Mr Vincent Lim's letter, 'Standardise amount of 'green' time at junctions' (ST, Jan 30).
The police would like to assure Mr Wong that they regularly maintain and upgrade red-light cameras to ensure their reliability, accuracy and effectiveness. Each camera is activated only when the traffic light turns red and is not triggered by the backup flash light he mentioned.
In addition, all photos taken by cameras are meticulously viewed and checked by officers before tickets are issued to offenders.
| The Land Transport Authority (LTA) would also like to clarify that the amber period can be in the form of an amber light (junction without green arrow), flashing green arrow (junction with green arrow) or amber arrow (junction with red-amber-green).
The amber period is fixed, depending on the approach speed of a junction. If motorists travel within the speed limit of the road, the period given allows them to stop in time if they see the amber light from a distance. If they see the amber light near the stop line, the time given allows them to clear the junction safely.
LTA has carefully considered the installation of countdown timers at traffic junctions.
A trial was conducted along Rochor Road near Bugis Junction to assess the behaviour of local motorists towards the countdown timer. Over a period of one year, there was a reduction in the number of vehicles beating the red light during the initial four months of the trial. However, after the initial four months, motorists' behaviour returned to when the countdown timer was not installed.
Varying motorist behaviour was observed when they approached the junction. For example, when the countdown timer showed two seconds remained before the traffic lights turned red, some motorists applied the brakes and were prepared to stop while others accelerated.
These observations suggest the countdown timer may result in a greater likelihood of rear-end collisions at traffic junctions. Studies conducted overseas have confirmed this observation.
While we have not installed such countdown timers at our traffic light junctions due to safety concerns, LTA is actively seeking new technologies that will assist motorists and will implement such technologies when possible.
The aim of the police is to reduce accidents and not issue tickets. Running a red light is dangerous. Motorists who ignore traffic signals put themselves and other road users at great risk.
For their own safety and that of other road users, motorists should adhere to all traffic rules and regulations, whether or not there are cameras or police around.
We thank Mr Wong and Mr Lim for sharing their views.
Audrey Ang (Ms)
Assistant Director, Media Relations
Singapore Police Force
Suhana Kharudin (Ms)
Manager, Media Relations
Land Transport Authority
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