Automated Enforcement Saves Lives Resized

Traffic accidents in the United States impose massive economic burdens, encompassing various costs such as traffic delays, emergency response services, and infrastructure repairs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes in 2019 resulted in a total economic cost of $340 billion. Whilst the financial impact is hardly comparable to the cost of a life lost for their loved ones, transportation authorities, traffic departments, and other public agencies are well advised to consider how many million dollars can be saved annually by reducing severe and fatal crashes through preventative measurements such as automated speed and red-light enforcement programs. 

The Breakdown of Costs: 

  • Traffic Delays: Congestion resulting from traffic incidents contributes to economic losses. For instance, in work zones, the comprehensive costs in user delay because of a crash amount to 8.6 billion dollars annually, according to a study by workzonebarriers.com. 
  • Emergency Response Services: The costs associated with emergency medical services (EMS), fire services, and law enforcement responses to traffic incidents are substantial. These expenses encompass personnel, equipment, and operational costs incurred during incident management. 
  • Road Cleanup and Repair: Post-accident procedures involve expenses related to debris removal, roadway repairs, and infrastructure restoration. These activities ensure the safety and functionality of transportation networks but contribute to the overall economic impact of traffic incidents. 
  • Property Damage: This encompasses the repair or replacement of vehicles and other property damaged in crashes. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that the average cost for vehicle damages in a crash was 92.9 billion dollars in 2022. 
  • Legal and Court Costs: Expenses related to legal proceedings, including attorney fees and court costs, contribute to the overall economic impact of traffic accidents. 
  • Insurance Administration: The costs associated with processing insurance claims and managing policies are significant components of the total economic burden. 

The average economic cost of a motor vehicle crash varies based on the severity of the incident:

Average Cost per Crash

Death

$1,778,000 per fatality

Disabling Injury

$155,000 per injury

Evident Injury

$40,000 per injury

Possible Injury

$40,000 per injury

No Injury (Property Damage Only)

$5,700 per crash

Source: the NSC****

These numbers consider all factors, including medical expenses, lost productivity, property damage, and administrative costs.

Impact of Automated Speed Enforcement Programs

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) programs have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing severe and fatal accidents, leading to significant cost savings for communities. These programs not only improve road safety but also reduce associated costs such as emergency services, medical expenses, and infrastructure repairs.  

Montgomery County, Maryland 

Montgomery County’s speed camera program has been exemplary for the long-term success of ASE. Studies show that the implementation of speed cameras in the county resulted in a 49% reduction in crashes causing fatalities or serious injuries on roads equipped with these cameras. This significant decrease translates to fewer lives lost and a reduction in costs associated with emergency response, medical care, and property damage. 

Fairfax County, Virginia 

In 2023, Fairfax County initiated a pilot speed camera program focusing on school and construction zones. Initial reports show promising results, with early data indicating a 10-15% decrease in speeding violations in school zones during peak times. As the program expands, it is expected to contribute to a reduction in serious and fatal crashes in these zones. Additionally, the cost of implementing 10 cameras was around $180,000, for the pilot program while the potential savings in accident-related costs could exceed several million dollars annually if crashes are reduced. 

Chicago, Illinois 

Since Illinois expanded its automated speed enforcement programs in 2024, Chicago’s network of speed and red-light cameras has played a critical role in enhancing safety. The city reported a 40% decrease in traffic violations* in areas with speed cameras. Data further suggests that fatal and severe crashes in these areas have decreased by approximately 20-25%, resulting in significant savings in medical expenses and property damage costs. 

Portland, Oregon

Portland’s automated enforcement program, which includes fixed speed safety cameras and mobile speed vans, has demonstrated exceptional results. Since implementation: 

  • Speeding over the limit decreased by 85%** in areas with cameras. 
  • Top-end speeding (10+ mph over the limit) dropped by 94%***. 
  • There was a 43% reduction in all crashes*** along camera-monitored segments. 

Given that the average cost of a crash with injuries is approximately $155,000, Portland’s reductions in accidents have likely saved the city vast amounts of dollars annually in direct and indirect costs. 

Cost Savings Summary

Automated speed enforcement programs can save communities across the United States significant sums by preventing crashes and reducing their severity. For example, if a city reduces fatal or severe injury crashes by 25%, the savings could amount to millions annually, considering the high costs of medical treatment, emergency response, and property damage. The financial benefits extend beyond safety, as improved traffic flow and reduced congestion also lower the cost of delays and fuel consumption. 

ASE programs are not just an investment in safety but also in financial efficiency, ensuring that public funds are spent on proactive prevention rather than reactive emergency measures.  

Beyond Financial Savings 

While the financial savings from automated speed enforcement programs are substantial, their true value goes far beyond dollars and cents. Every crash prevented means one less family shattered by loss, one less person enduring life-altering injuries, and one less community grieving the preventable death of a loved one. The impact of saving even a single life remains immeasurable. By reducing severe and fatal crashes, the focus of these programs remains on so much more than saving cost. 

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