Comments on: Should Municipalities Use Cameras to Catch Red Light Runners?

By: triple-e

triple-e — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:36:32 +0000

Every time these cameras are mentioned, the word revenue is mentioned. I’m sorry, but doesn’t every police officer in the United States (world?) have the power to write these same tickets? If the intersection is dangerous, it is the red lights fault? How about a little enforcement, rather than lazy revenue generation. Or maybe I am just bitter after sitting for nearly 5 minutes watching invisible (non-existent) cross traffic while waiting for my light to change at 6 in the morning. If police ticketed every violator of all laws every time, then people would slow down quite a bit. I remember when 55 was a lot more set in stone than 65 or 70 is today as a speed limit.

By: Rob in Madrid

Rob in Madrid — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:35:44 +0000

Perhaps the answer is to install roundabout everywhere, thus elimnating the need for lights.

By: JW

JW — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:58:43 +0000

We have them here in Cary, NC and I heard they were thinking of doing away with them because the expenses of operating, maintaining, and recordkeeping were not making it worthwhile.

Also placement of the lights matters. There is a confusing intersection here near a very popular shopping center. I got stuck with a red light ticket because half-way through the light, a two cars ahead, a person realized they were in the wrong lane and stopped the whole flow of cars going through the light….The ticket is like a ticket from the Mafia…they coerce you “If you pay it on time, we won’t report it to your insurance company and it won’t go on your driving record”

I’d also reiterate the comments above: it increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions as some folks will slam on the brake to stop as soon as the light turns yellow (I know the theory is that folks shouldn’t be following so closely, but the reality is that they do and this just increases the likelihood of an accident). I’ve seen a few close calls recently.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 01:35:30 +0000

Yet another instance of government regulation begetting more regulation: The city increases light times, more people run the lights so they don’t have to wait, suddenly we need cameras. And plastic rectangles become illegal. *sigh*

The National Motorists Association gives quite an impressive list of reasons why red-light cameras are bad ideas. http://www.motorists.org/photoenforce/

By: dimes

dimes — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:12:19 +0000

To stop people from running red lights, you could deploy spike strips when the light turns red, so that people who drive over them will destroy their tires. The only problem is that it might affect the flow of traffic in other directions (like people turning right on red, or emergency vehicles, for example).
Obviously this isn’t a practical solution, but unless the consequences are 1) guaranteed and 2) unpleasant/expensive, people won’t change their behavior. Impounding and krushing cars would cost too much too, though it would be an equally effective deterrent.

By: Robls

Robls — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:12:05 +0000

I forgot to mention on the study above.
None of the street lights recommended to be removed by the study, were removed. Zip. Nada.
Since the study more street lights have been added.

By: Robls

Robls — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:44:32 +0000

I should have mentioned that not one street light was removed based on the studies recommendations.
And additional street lights have been installed.

By: Robls

Robls — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:39:19 +0000

In my city we had a study done by an outside consultant, on how to improve traffic flow. They spent $50,000 on it.
The conclusion of the study was to eliminate about 40% of the current traffic lights, and force people to use intersections where traffic lights would be located.
On one east/west 6 lane road(+ a center turning lane) running through the city, there are 25 traffic lights located on a possible 27 intersections. That’s over 90% of the intersections on that street alone.
I know for a fact that some people may run these yellow/red lights because of the gauntlet they must travel through.
Just my 2 cents.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:16:40 +0000

Personally I think its a good idea, yes it may be another revenue stream for the community, but that aside people who run red lights are a danger on the roads. If they know that they’ll get a ticket in the mail because they run the light it might just prevent them from doing so. The safety aspect alone is worth putting those cameras up.

We’ve got those cameras up on some corners and they make those intersections safer for us pedestrians.

By: King of Debt

King of Debt — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:05:21 +0000

Another thing to keep in mind, and it depends on the the specific state, but a lot of times the red light “ticket” is a minor fine and there is no ill affect on the driver’s insurance (again, depending on the state). Also, even though companies are contracted to provide the service, the city still has to pay them for the installation of the cameras and a dollar amount for the actual servicing of the program. That dollar amount doesn’t change if the number of violators causes revenues to be less than the amount to be paid to the company.

There are other proven options that won’t cost cities and states as much money. Longer yellows and greater police enforcement are both proven methods of reducing red light running.