1 Dead, 9 Hurt in Redflex Photo Zone

Interstate 10 was closed early Sunday morning after a fatal wreck occurred within a Redflex photo enforcement zone according to ABC 15:

Investigators said a 2002, 4-door Chevrolet vehicle driven by Fernando Acuna, 18, merged into the same lane that a 2001, 4-door Chevrolet, driven by Edgar Barajas, 18, was attempting to move in to. When the vehicles sideswiped, the 2001 Chevy spun out, struck the other vehicle a second time and rolled over. Five passengers inside the 2001 vehicle were ejected.  Acuna and his passenger, Michael Echevarra, 15, were not hurt.

Accident rates stay statistically the same or increase when automated ticketing is implemented. DPS has failed to release any data in 2009 that indicates any reduction in collisions or fatalities.

Our take: Due to a number of serious, high-profile accidents such as this tragedy on Sunday, the statewide numbers probably aren’t looking too good right about now.

Photo radar is a reactive revenue scheme, not a proactive safety program.