By Emily Mapp Brannon, Chesapeake Traffic Injury Attorney

The use of red light cameras has long been debated within the Hampton Roads community, but new statistics show that they have a rightful place on Chesapeake, Virginia (VA), streets. Since the cameras were installed in August 2010, more than 14,000 traffic violations have been photographed, resulting in over 8,000 tickets. The money generated from these violations totals nearly $450,000.

While many argue that the red light cameras are simply revenue generators, the city of Chesapeake disagrees. “If we have zero violations, I’m perfectly fine with that,” Gary Walton, Chesapeake’s traffic engineer, told the Virginian-Pilot. Whether drivers are racing to beat out a yellow light or are simply not paying close enough attention to the road, the cameras see all. By providing consequences for such poor driving choices, these cameras hold all citizens responsible for their actions.

The cameras are expensive to maintain. More than $127,000 per year goes to the company that provides the camera system. Still, the money generated by red light runners more than covers the bill. The rest of the revenue helps the city run the program.

Many opponents claim the cameras are an invasion of privacy. In our technology-savvy culture, cameras are everywhere. In public, we should be expected to follow laws and rules of the road. If a camera helps keep bad drivers in line, then so be it. As a car accident attorney, I’ve seen plenty of accidents that were caused by drivers running red lights. If these cameras prevent even one accident, they’re worth the cost and privacy.

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About the Editors: Personal Injury Lawyers with the Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton law firm do only injury and accident law. We have experience handling car, truck, motorcycle, van and SUV accident cases, and our case results speak for themselves. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included in the 2011 issue of Best Lawyers in America. They, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper, were also named 2011 Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law, an honor which fewer than 5 percent of outstanding lawyers receive. Our primary office is in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA), but we often represent clients in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News and Suffolk. If we agree to take your case, we will come to you at home or even in the hospital, to make it easier for you. We are ready to talk to you by phone at (757) 460-7776. We provide free initial confidential injury case consultations. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Further, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake & Suffolk Injuryboard, Norfolk, Portsmouth & Hampton Injuryboard, VA-NC Wrongful Death Lawyers, VA & NC Medical Surgery Malpractice Attorneys Blog and Virginia Trucking Accident/Injury Blog to provide important health, safety and legal information to the public.