Mike Farwell

So researchers at the University of Florida have decided that red light cameras cause more crashes. Of course they do. I mean, I’ve driven through the four intersections (soon to be eight) in Waterloo Region that have the cameras installed and every time I do, that darn camera flashes that blinding light that causes me to lose control. Huh?

What the researchers found is that there are more crashes, especially rear-enders, at intersections where the cameras are installed. The theory is that drivers realize too late that they’re about to earn a 110-dollar ticket, so they slam on the brakes. And the driver behind slams into them. Presto! More crashes. But to say it’s the camera causing the crash is asinine, if not downright irresponsible.

Note to researchers: it’s not the camera’s fault. The driver is to blame, same as always! The bottom line is that if the first driver wasn’t in such a hurry, he or she wouldn’t be gambling on hitting the gas pedal at the first sign of a yellow signal. And if the second driver wasn’t following too closely, he or she would not have run into the back of the first car.

Here’s the simple equation that should come out of every driving study. One bad driver plus another bad driver equals one rear end collision. They ought to make that required learning in the driver’s ed curriculum.