Local opinion: Red-light cameras should be returned

The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Tucson, unfortunately, has earned a rather damning distinction. According to the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, a 2025 analysis done by Consumer Affairs has Tucson ranked fifth among the worst cities for drivers in the United States. Needless to say, that is quite disconcerting and certainly not a recognition of which we can be proud. Plus, it’s a bit unsettling to realize that our streets are not very safe.

One of the statistics that gave Tucson that high ranking was that our traffic fatality rate was 27.05 deaths per 100,000 residents. Other reasons given for Tucson’s bad rating included speeding, aggressive driving, and limited infrastructure.

And while speeding and aggressive driving are certainly contributing factors with which to be reckoned, it is the listing of the limited infrastructure that attracted my immediate attention. That basically means we are not at full strength when it comes to focusing on the traffic operations for the city. In essence, Tucson has not been able to keep up with the heavy traffic challenging a growing city. And growing we are. We are experiencing an influx of new residents on almost a daily basis. Plus, we also have a large number of winter visitors here for several months, and there is a growing population of university students.

Combining all of these factors together means that we have an increase in the number of automobiles on our streets in what is already a highly congested traffic situation. That then relates to the fact that we simply do not have the proper infrastructure that can provide adequate road capacity to match the amount of automobiles traveling on our roads. And there is a reason for that.

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Years ago, the city decided it was not going to be like Los Angeles and even Phoenix with the massive freeway systems. As a result, Tucson is now one of the worst cities in the nation for drivers.

Tucson’s limited traffic infrastructure was also partially brought about by the lack of public support for measures that would help reduce accidents resulting in injuries and deaths. One such incident was in November of 2015, when the voters decided to do away with the red-light cameras. That action had a significant impact on the safety and security of all drivers. The consequences of that vote are now being felt today and are a contributing factor as to why we received that high negative rating.

Almost on a regular basis, I am reading in the Arizona Daily Star reports of accidents being caused by someone running a red light. Sometimes, unfortunately, there is a death. It is sad to realize that the people of Tucson voted to abolish the red-light cameras. Proposition 201 was supposedly passed because of concerns over privacy, due process, and the belief that the system prioritized revenue over safety. To me, that was always a euphemistic reasoning for the elimination of the cameras. Early on it had been suspected that the measure was initiated and heavily promoted by those who had received substantial tickets for running a red light, an infraction that was caught on one of the cameras.

In taking all factors into consideration and seeing that Tucson has received an embarrassing recognition, it is my firm belief that we have been given a wakeup call and that the time has come to bring Tucson back into the real world and reinstate the use of red-light cameras. The reinstallation of the red-light cameras can be included in the RTA Next project plans. No longer should we be placed in life-threatening compromises by red-light runners. Plus, it is deplorable to have a designation of being the fifth-worst city for drivers. Certainly, Tucson is very capable of being a much better place than that.