WHEREAS, Red light running, which occurs when a motorist disregards traffic laws by entering an intersection after the signal turns red, is the most frequent type of police-reported urban crash in the United States, posing a significant threat to drivers, pedestrians, and property; and

WHEREAS, Red light running is a national crisis plaguing communities with nearly 260,000 crashes and 750 fatalities occurring each year, and in Pennsylvania alone the latest statistics show that 7,480 crashes occurred with 38 deaths and injuries to 53 pedestrians and 9,000 other people; and

WHEREAS, A study conducted by State Farm Insurance found that the City of Philadelphia has two of the top three intersections in the United States with the largest number of crashes caused by red light violators; and

WHEREAS, The intersections at Red Lion Road & Roosevelt Boulevard and Grant Avenue & Roosevelt Boulevard experienced 331 and 261 crashes respectively, serving as examples of several problematic crossroads where red light violators acutely jeopardize the safety of Philadelphia's residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, Red light photo enforcement is a proven technology used in Europe since the 1950's and in the United States for nearly a decade as a means to reduce crashes, injuries, deaths and health care-related costs brought about by red light running; and

WHEREAS, Red light photo enforcement programs effectively defer dangerous driving behaviors in 50 communities throughout the United States including Baltimore, MD, Charlotte, NC, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, CA, and could considerably reduce the number of violations in the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The courts have found the proper use of red light photo enforcement programs to be constitutional and that these programs protect the rights of law abiding citizens; and

WHEREAS, Red light photo enforcement legislation has been proposed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide municipalities with the option to use cameras as law enforcement tools to address this serious public safety problem; and

WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia awaits the enactment of the red light photo enforcement legislation and stands ready to explore camera use to contribute to the well-being of citizens and support of the Police Department of the City of Philadelphia; now therefore

RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia supports state enactment of legislation enabling municipalities to implement photo enforcement programs for red light running and urges Governor Schweiker and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide support for local law enforcement efforts to make Pennsylvania's city streets safer.

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