HARRISBURG, DEC. 12, 2007: State Sen. Mike Stack lauded Senate passage of legislation that would reauthorize the red light camera program in Philadelphia until 2011.

“The red light cameras are effectively helping police enforce the traffic laws,” Stack said. “More importantly, they are keeping our motorists and pedestrians safe. That’s why I’m pleased that the program has been expanded for four more years.”

The red light camera program was launched in 2005. The first two cameras were placed on Roosevelt Boulevard at the intersections of Grant Avenue and Red Lion Road. These two locations had been designated as two of the most dangerous intersections in the nation, according to a 2001 State Farm Insurance study.

Since the red light camera program began, the number of motorists running red lights at the two notorious intersections has decreased by 96 percent, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Additionally, the same study found that red light running at other intersections had dropped by 36 percent.

“The Philadelphia Police are doing an excellent job patrolling Roosevelt Boulevard,” said Stack. “That being said, the red light camera program has been an effective complement to police officers efforts to improve traffic safety on Roosevelt Boulevard and across the city of Philadelphia.”

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