What the IIHS Study Says About Red Light Cameras and Crash Risks
While some debate red light cameras, the truth is clear — these systems save lives
A driver running a red light remains one of the most common causes of intersection accidents in South Carolina and across the country. Side-impact crashes and multi-vehicle accidents are especially common because other drivers don’t expect someone to run a red light.
This is why many communities and states have installed red light cameras that capture images of drivers failing to stop at traffic signals. With that said, there’s still a lot of debate about the benefits of red-light cameras and whether they’re effective or actually prevent car accidents.
Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) studied whether red light cameras prevent crashes as effectively as other technologies, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems.
Red light cameras help prevent certain types of accidents, IIHS study finds
While there’s a great deal of debate over whether communities should install red light cameras, a recent IIHS study found that red light cameras at intersections dramatically reduce the likelihood of a collision.
Specifically, the IIHS study found: “Red light safety cameras would slash injury crashes by as much as a fifth and result in a net reduction in crashes of all types."
IIHS President David Harkey agreed.
“Red light running causes extremely dangerous, high-speed side crashes, so red light safety cameras are an essential intervention,” Harkey said.
Automatic braking systems enhance the benefits of red light cameras
Along with red light cameras, automatic braking systems (AEBs) also help reduce the likelihood of collisions at intersections when used in conjunction with red light cameras, according to the same IIHS study, which states:
“Red light safety cameras reduce the dangerous right-angle crashes that often cause injuries or fatalities when drivers run red lights. But the devices are also associated with an increase in less severe rear-end crashes due to a rise in sudden stops at equipped intersections.
The new IIHS study shows that the increasing prevalence of automatic emergency braking (AEB) will mitigate that unfortunate side effect.”
Harkey agreed, saying, “This study illustrates that AEB helps address one of their few downsides, which hopefully can help accelerate their deployment in intersections across the country.”
Don't red light cameras cause more rear‑end crashes?
Rear‑end crashes sometimes rise as drivers brake more abruptly to avoid getting a ticket for running a red light. However, the IIHS points out that these crashes are generally lower‑severity than angle crashes.
In addition, the latest IIHS analysis shows that vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) significantly reduce the rear‑end crash risk associated with camera enforcement. As AEB becomes more common in the U.S. fleet, communities can retain the life‑saving benefit of cameras while limiting minor rear‑end accidents.
Does South Carolina have red light traffic cameras?
No. And they’re not alone. Like many other states, South Carolina does not allow automated camera enforcement to issue red light tickets based solely on photographs or video. Under South Carolina Code § 56‑7‑35, an officer must witness the violation or be directly involved in issuing the citation.
As of September 2025, only 343 communities in the U.S. have red light traffic cameras, according to the IIHS study. In addition, the number of red light traffic cameras has decreased by more than a third since 2012, the IIHS reports.
How is fault determined after a red light crash in South Carolina?
Fault usually depends on whether a driver entered the intersection in one of the following ways:
- Against a steady red.
- Failing to yield during a permissive turn.
- Speeding through the end of a yellow traffic signal without time to stop safely.
To determine fault in a red-light running accident, investigators often look at several different types of evidence, including:
- The responding police officer’s accident report.
- Eyewitness accounts.
- Vehicle damage patterns.
- Signal timing data.
- Video evidence of the accident.
Evidence builds strong legal cases. That’s why if you were hurt in a crash caused by someone who ran a red light, it’s critical that you have an experienced attorney on your side, looking for every possible piece of evidence in support of your claim.
Get the South Carolina car accident lawyers who get results
If you were injured because another driver ran a red light, you should not have to pay for someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior. You deserve to be compensated for all your financial losses, and they should be held accountable for their actions.
Our South Carolina car accident lawyers at Twenge + Twombley know how to handle such complex legal cases. That’s because we have been doing this work for years. We know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask, and how to turn that evidence into a winning legal case.
Get the law firm that puts your best interests first. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a South Carolina car accident attorney you can count on in a crisis. We represent injury victims in Beaufort County and throughout South Carolina.
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