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Data collected by the city's red-light camera task force, in charge of deciding whether the program makes driving in the city safer, says crashes at the city's four oldest red-light intersections have mostly decreased.

But rear-end crashes are up "significantly," according to the data.

The numbers, released Friday by task force leader Ted Shogry, show accidents inside and outside intersections have declined by about an accident a month since the cameras were posted two years ago.

Rear-end accidents, however, have increased at three of the four intersections.

The cameras, installed at 20 city intersections beginning in the summer of 2005, have since generated more than $10 million through 162,589 citations for speeding and running red lights.

The program has been a source of controversy over the $100 first-time fine, which many say is too expensive, and what many consider an illegal administrative process.

Mayor Martin Chavez said he is willing to reduce the fine, if the task force recommends that he do so.

Critics also argued the red-light cameras scared drivers into slamming on their brakes at the sight of a yellow light, causing rear-end crashes at the intersections. The data released by the task force is the first indicator that this could be a valid claim.

Chavez said he is open to criticism of the program and said he specifically called for the task force to find out exactly how safe the program is making the city.

In that effort, Shogry said a retired San Diego police officer read every single accident report mentioning the intersections of Paseo del Norte and Coors Boulevard, Juan Tabo and Lomas boulevards, Eubank and Montgomery boulevards, and San Mateo and Montgomery boulevards.

This information, along with national research and testimony from city residents will all be considered as the task force, which met for the first time Friday, decides whether the red-light program makes the city safer. It must make its decision by Jan. 15, Chavez said.

Meanwhile, Chavez vetoed a City Council motion to suspend the red-light camera program.

Chavez said the motion was premature because the task force was still working and open-ended because it didn't give a timeline to restart the red-light program.

Shortly after the mayor's veto of the motion Friday morning, Council President Brad Winter said he would try to override the veto during the council's Monday meeting.

Winter, a vocal opponent of the cameras, needs six out of the nine council members to support his measure. But four councilors on Friday - Sally Mayer, Ken Sanchez, Trudy Jones and Don Harris, all of whom boycotted the last council meeting to protest Winter's ascendancy to council president - all said they would not support his override attempt.

They instead preferred to wait until Chavez's task force issues its report.

"We've got a task force, let's wait and let them do their job," Mayer said. "And why in the world would you stop them during the holidays when you've got crazy people out there shopping and not paying attention?"

Staff writer Erik Siemers contributed to this report.