What's Wrong With This Picture: Red Light Cameras Kill Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a bus crash on New York’s I-95, but it’s clear from these photos [via ABC] what caused many of the 14 fatalities in the crash: a sign warning motorists of red-light photo enforcement is what appears to have ripped the bus in half. Now, as much as we dislike photo enforcement, we wouldn’t argue that the sign caused this tragedy… but the irony of a sign intended to improve safety actually becoming a deadly obstacle is more than we can ignore.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • MattPete MattPete on Mar 13, 2011

    "Clear" -- I hate red light cameras as much as the next guy, but this is supposed to be the TRUTH about cars, not the PROPAGANDA about cars. To assume that that sign had anything to do with this accident this stage is irresponsible.

  • DrivnEZ DrivnEZ on Mar 13, 2011

    What's wrong with this picture is that the truth of the accident has nothing to do with "red light cameras kill" As such, it is an insult to the lives that were lost to attempt any connection between this accident any any political message one wishes to promote. Please, next time, think twice before such an inappropriate post.

  • Cdotson Cdotson on Mar 14, 2011

    The irony isn't lost on me, and I wouldn't have even noticed if you hadn't pointed it out Ed, so don't let the detractors get you down. The Truth of this accident has yet to be determined, and based on some conflicting statements I've read may not be determined for quite some time. It does seem strange that there isn't even a guard rail or metal cable fence to deflect incoming objects away from the post. The idea that jersey barriers only stop cars is ridiculous; those of you who can access youtube during the daytime can pull any number of videos of Class7 and Class8 trucks impacting jersey barriers during tests and bouncing right off of them back into the roadway. Buses might be different unless heavily loaded with luggage, but the jersey barrier is effective for vehicles far larger than cars.

  • Steven02 Steven02 on Mar 14, 2011

    In my opinion, this is very poor form for TTAC. Back with the SUA recalls that Toyota was having, TTAC made a very big stand about not making jokes about SUA when Hiromu Naruse died. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/06/toyota-chief-test-driver-dies-in-lfa-crash/ Yet, it seems to be ok that when people on a bus die, it is ok to call irony on a sign talking about red light cameras that had nothing to do with the accident. This is terrible form.

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