Red light camera, a good tool? or profit machine?

[Drazzil]

Sorry, I am going to have to call bullshit on this one. Red light cameras are nothing more then mechanical rapists with a license to take bread off of peoples tables. Objective studies done have shown that they actually INCREASE the amount of rear end colissions in an intersection.

Add to that that those cameras are actually run by corporations who take care of the matience and pictures on these things and these same corporations lobby to have the yellow light (grace period) on signals shortened so that they can rake in the dough.

The final nail in the coffin in the arguement for these things is that cities often charge MUCH more for these tickets then if you had been pulled over by a flesh and blood cop. A ticket for rolling a right on a red light is a hundred and fifty dollars in San Bernardino County, however get caught by a red light camera doing the same thing, and it will cost you five hundred dollars plus court costs and traffic school. (Which is what I had to do a little under two years ago) and there is a point on your record (if you decline or are unable or ineligable to attend traffic school)

Oh and the worst part? These things are so sensitive that they will sometimes flash you for just starting to move on a red light in the period between when the other side of the intersection is red, but your light is in the process of changing to green, and they will sometimes flash you when you are in the middle of the intersection trying to make a left in heavy traffic, and, if you are stopped, if you start too suddenly to make a right turn, AFTER you are stopped and the coast is clear... these things will sometimes flash you then as well.

Leaving you to wonder if you are going to take it up the a-s to the tune of *ANOTHER* five hundred dollar ticket for the next couple of weeks.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Drazzil

Objective studies done have shown that they actually INCREASE the amount of rear end colissions in an intersection.

Very interested in seeing these studies, can you provide a link or website I can see them on?

Originally Posted by Drazzil

The final nail in the coffin in the arguement for these things is that cities often charge MUCH more for these tickets then if you had been pulled over by a flesh and blood cop.

Actually much cheaper here considering fees and costs, and no mark (points) on your license.

Originally Posted by Drazzil

Oh and the worst part? These things are so sensitive that they will sometimes flash you for just starting to move on a red light in the period between when the other side of the intersection is red, but your light is in the process of changing to green, and they will sometimes flash you when you are in the middle of the intersection trying to make a left in heavy traffic, and, if you are stopped, if you start too suddenly to make a right turn, AFTER you are stopped and the coast is clear... these things will sometimes flash you then as well.

Leaving you to wonder if you are going to take it up the a-s to the tune of *ANOTHER* five hundred dollar ticket for the next couple of weeks.

The cameras activating (flashing) doesn't mean you are guilty of an infraction, only that the video is rolling. If you pass the stop line before turning right on red, but still come to a compete stop, you will not get a ticket. Regarding left turns, if you were in the intersection (past the stop line) prior to the light turning red, you will not get a ticket for clearing the intersection and completing your turn after the light turns red.

As for the "your light is in the process of changing to green', isn't it red until it turns green? That would mean one was proceeding on a red light.

Not trying to be a nitpicker, David, just pointing out some of the factors (at least here in Illinois).