Lawmaker Says Red Light Cameras Would Stop “Growing Epidemic”

A state Assembly Democrat says the increase in Milwaukee traffic deaths is a “growing epidemic” that has killed “mothers, daughters, sons, and fathers.” Milwaukee Representative David Crowley asked fellow lawmakers Tuesday to let the city run a five year pilot program with traffic light cameras that would catch speeders and those driving through red lights. Alderman Khalif Rainey calls it “red light roulette,” and says everyone in Milwaukee is vulnerable to it. Milwaukee has had a 73-percent increase in traffic deaths in the last eight years, and supporters of red light cameras say they reduce fatal crashes by 21-percent. Crowley says he knows there have been problems with the cameras in other cities — but he would limit them to 35 throughout Milwaukee during the five year pilot period.