The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1098611115586174We explore the question of whether some of the often conflicting evidence of
racial profiling can be cleared up using red light camera observations to measure
racial disparities in traffic violations. Using data from cameras at intersections
matched to census data, we find that although citations from the red light cameras
are issued to a disproportionate number of minorities based on the racial composition
of the surrounding location, the racial composition of the violator is consistent
with the racial composition of the block group in which they reside. Our study
indicates that red light cameras may have a present and future role in assisting
public policy makers on issues of racial profiling thresholds
