Seven in Ten Support Using Cameras to Catch Drivers Who Run Red Lights

Seven in ten approve of using cameras to catch drivers who run red lights

In the context of a province-wide crack down on drivers who are running red lights, respondents were told that there have been suggestions to install cameras at intersections to catch these drivers. Similar to the previous photo radar program, it was explained that drivers who run red lights will be tracked down with a photograph of their license plate and will be sent a ticket in the mail. Seven in ten (72%) Ontarians approve of the use of this system. A majority (56%) strongly approve of installing cameras at intersections.

While a majority of both men and women share this perspective, it is more prevalent among women. Specifically, one-quarter (77%) of women and two-thirds (68%) of men approve of the use of cameras at intersections to catch drivers who run red lights. In addition, the tendency for someone to approve of this system increases with age. In particular, 63% of those between 18 and 34 approve, 72 percent of those between 35 and 54 approve and 86 percent of those over 55 years approve.

Road safety primary reason for endorsing photo system

Respondents who approved of the photo system were asked on an open ended basis to indicate why they would support the implementation of the system. Reasons dealing with safety topped the list. Specifically, 21 percent believe that the system will prevent accidents and make the roads safer, 11 percent believe that it will save lives and 10 percent are inclined to support the system because of their own personal experience, in particular because they have seen accidents. In addition, 9 percent are motivated to support the system because people who are running red lights should be punished because they are breaking the law.

Lack of confidence in workability and invasion of privacy are main detractors

Respondents disapproved of the photo system were asked on an open ended basis to indicate why they would not support the implementation of the system. Reasons dealing with the workability of the system (30%) and personal privacy (27%) topped the list. In particular, 18 percent indicate that the system will not prove who was driving the vehicle and 12 percent are not convinced that the system works and that it is inaccurate and easy to make mistakes. In addition, 15 percent do not like the idea of cameras (the idea of "big brother watching" was explicitly cited by respondents) and 12 percent feel that it is an invasion of privacy and infringes on one's rights. An additional 11 percent believe that the system would cost too much money or that the money would be poorly spent.

This Angus Reid Group/Globe and Mail poll was conducted by telephone between April 22nd and May 3rd, 1998 among a representative cross-section of 1,000 Ontarian adults. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Ontario population according to the 1996 Census data. With a national sample of 1,000, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are within ±3.2 percentage points of what they would have been had the entire adult Ontario population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Rose Sottile
Research Manager
Strategic Communications
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900