RUNNING a red light is a dangerous traffic violation that can cause more than accidents.
"Red-light runners are a classic example of aggressive driving" that can lead to post-accident fights between drivers, notes Sheriff Kenneth L. Tregoning of Carroll County, which is considering installing automatic cameras at a dozen problem intersections on state highways to catch offenders.
It's a good idea -- one that Anne Arundel, Howard and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City have already successfully adopted. Howard County claims a 53 percent drop in red-light violations at intersections with cameras.
Since it is remote, belated law enforcement, however, the candid camera program will always require some citizen safeguards.
Only license plates of vehicles actually running a red light must be photographed and used by authorities. Cameras shouldn't be used for constant surveillance of law-abiding motorists. And traffic-light timing must be adjusted to prevent quick changes that are out of synch with speed limits and traffic flow.
Each year, 3,300 Maryland car crashes are tied to signal violations. Nationwide, an estimated 260,000 accidents are caused by red-light runners. Some 100 accidents were caused by red-light runners in Carroll the first half of this year, state police report.
State driver violation points for red-light running were doubled a year ago. It's past time to bring this traffic danger to a halt.
