Since penalties for failing to comply with traffic signals were increased on January 1, the numbers of traffic accidents and prosecutions involving red light jumping have fallen, the Transport Department says.

In the first eight months of this year, the average number of traffic accidents involving drivers disobeying traffic signals was 20 cases a month, or 1.6% of the total number of traffic accidents. That is a drop of about 30% compared with the 28 cases a month, or 2.2% of the total number of traffic accidents, seen in 2005.

The average number of prosecutions against red light jumping also went down about 25%, from 3,479 a month in 2005 to 2,638 a month this year.

Despite the increase in the number of red light cameras, the average number of prosecutions against red light jumping using cameras was 2,113 a month, down more than 20% when compared with 2,729 a month in 2005. 

With effect from January 1, the penalties for failing to comply with traffic signals have increased from 3 to 5 driving offence points, and the fixed-penalty fine rose from $450 to $600.