Statement from NCSR: PA Lawmakers Vote for Public Safety by Expanding Red Light Safety Camera Program

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) commends Tuesday's decision by the Pennsylvania State Senate to expand the state's red light safety camera program.

Senate Bill 595 passed by a vote of 35-14. The Act will allow certain cities throughout Pennsylvania — not just Pittsburgh, which was the only city approved to use red light safety cameras — to operate their own red light safety camera program.

"Pennsylvania lawmakers made the right decision to help protect motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and passengers throughout Pennsylvania," said David Kelly, president and executive director of the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR), and former acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "The overwhelming body of evidence shows the effectiveness of these red light safety cameras in changing dangerous driver behavior in Pittsburgh and throughout the country. The state senate's decision reflects Pennsylvania's continued commitment to improving the safety of Pennsylvania roadways and preventing more needless injuries or deaths due to the reckless behavior of red-light runners."

The bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, "further providing for display of registration plate and for automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities; and providing for automated red light enforcement in certain cities." The legislation will now move for consideration before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to advance the cause of road and traffic safety and to support the road safety technology industry. NCSR is funded by American Traffic Solutions (ATS), and is supported by the National Safety Council; Safe Kids USA, Child Safety Network; National Organizations for Youth Safety; America Walks; and Red Means Stop, as well as numerous police departments, medical professionals, safety advocates, industry leaders, community leaders and concerned citizens. NCSR helps save lives and protect communities by demonstrating how red light safety cameras can improve driver behavior. For more information, visit http://SafeRoadsSaveLives.org/, follow @SaferRoadsUSA on Twitter and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SaferRoadsUSA.

SOURCE National Coalition for Safer Roads