New Red Light Camera

[jstmike]

I live in a small rural community and we just got our first red light camera and it is making me feel like a criminal.

I'm wondering maybe we should follow our public officials around with camcorders because you never know when they will be breaking the law.

Maybe we should make a law where the public officials need to wear webcams so we can watch them on the Internet?

[Dr.3D]

Maybe somebody will 'fix' the camera? :rolleyes:

[jstmike]

I was just reading the minutes of the City Council Meeting:


Councilmember Dill noted the city and residents have been anticipating this and are on the way to having the cameras installed. Mr. McLean reported that signs will go out around town where the cameras will be installed, and the Police Department has carefully planned the location of signs to avoid any safety issues. A notice period will begin on February 1, and actual citations will begin on or after March 1, 2008. Councilmember Knutsen suggested tabling the matter in order to gather more information, as although the program would provide revenue for the city, it also results in an increase in the number of accidents. He was more concerned about the safety of the public and not the financial aspect, and would prefer to see the money spent on roadside speed signs where cameras photograph speeders instead. Based on his law enforcement background, he did not recommend this program and wanted additional study to be done before implementation. Mayor Malloy requested any pertinent information from Chief James regarding Councilmember Knutsen’s concerns.

So these things cause accidents but the city is only interested in the revenue they generate.

[Bruno]

I was just reading the minutes of the City Council Meeting:



So these things cause accidents but the city is only interested in the revenue they generate.

There was an injunction filed in Clive, Iowa because of that same issue. For now, the cameras are in place but turned off until the verdict is in.

[jstmike]

Simple google search:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/2420766.html


Others worry about safety. Red-light cameras are supposed to make us safer by discouraging people from running red lights. The trouble is that they work too well. Numerous studies have found that when these cameras are put in place, rear-end collisions increase dramatically. Drivers who once might have stretched the light a bit now slam on their brakes for fear of getting a ticket, with predictable results. A study of red-light cameras in Washington, D.C., by The Washington Post found that despite producing more than 500,000 tickets (and generating over $32 million in revenues), red-light cameras didn't reduce injuries or collisions. In fact, the number of accidents increased at the camera-equipped intersections.

Likewise, red-light cameras in Portland, Ore., produced a 140 percent increase in rear-end collisions at monitored intersections, and a study by the Virginia Transportation Research Council found that although red-light cameras decreased collisions resulting from people running traffic lights, they significantly increased accidents overall.

[WilliamC]

I hear they are going up in Jackson Mississippi and folks there are none too pleased.

Of course they might not last too long here in the deep South, some of us rednecks aren't known for taking kindly to being spied on.....

[fedup100]

They are all over Seattle too. I feel cornered and to go to work or any where is an obstacle course with a troll under a bridge demanding your money or you can't go anywhere. This is so unconstitutional and unbelievable. they are fleecing people when most of us are just tapped out.

it gets worse. Now they are installing camera's every so many feet on the highways and freeways so they can send you tickets and rob you if you were going over the speed limit.

Next thing planned here in Seattle is for all Of us to be required to place a black box that records everywhere we go and then sends us a bill each month for the miles we traveled. It will cost each of us between $80 on up per month averaging $250.00. Next, all the roads we have built and payed for is sold to Spain or Mexico and they are all toll roads.

This is all true and in the works and it is just the beginning and a glimpse into your future as a fucking slave with chains on your ankles.

All this has been brought to you and on you by the MSM and voter fraud. WE must take it back.

[123tim]

snip.....

Next thing planned here in Seattle is for all Of us to be required to place a black box that records everywhere we go and then sends us a bill each month for the miles we traveled. It will cost each of us between $80 on up per month averaging $250.00.

....snip


This is for real?
What is the title of this legislation?

[bj72]

I heard they wanted to do that in CA too. I don't know what the legislation is exactly, but I don't doubt it. They regulate everything here in the name of public "good".

I can't decide if we live in a socialist or fascist country, maybe it is a new hybrid of the two. It certainly isn't a free Republic anymore :(

[marm1890]

Maybe somebody will 'fix' the camera? :rolleyes:

http://www.speedcam.co.uk:D:D:D

[DamianTV]

Naa thats not the link you want. Close but no cigar to light the explosive gunpowder...

http://www.speedcam.co.uk/gatso2.htm

Now THATS Fun!

[jstmike]

I don't know if it will do any good but I just emailed our councilmembers and mayor this letter:


Dear Councilmember and Mayor,

The other day I was coming home from Costco and noticed a traffic camera being installed on 112th and 94th. I don't get the paper and so this was the first I've learned that our city was considering these.

In doing a little research I see many studies have shown that these red light cameras cause more accidents than they prevent. You see people will put on their brakes at the first sign of a yellow just so they don't get a ticket. I'm 46 years old and the last ticket I received was 22 years ago. But I know that there have been times where I needed to make a judgment call on whether I could stop in time. (I learned that they call this the dilemma zone) Maybe the roads were wet or maybe someone was following too close or having to make a left while waiting for oncoming traffic.

Here are just a few reports:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/04/430.asp

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1844.asp

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/06/687.asp

Now the office of Majority Leader of the US House of Representatives put together a report saying that just by increasing the yellow time by a second reduces the number of accidents and running red lights.

Here is the report. It is really a good read:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/reports/rlcreport.asp

I'm seeing that cities all across the country are installing these because of the revenue increase. It really saddens me when public officials put profit ahead of public safety. For example this story sickens me:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/22/2224.asp

"The number of accidents increased at the Rome, Georgia intersection where a red light camera was installed, but profits have continued to increase. The total number of collisions at Hicks Drive and Turner McCall Boulevard jumped 24 percent between 2005 and 2007 while total profit increased 19 percent The city is so pleased with these results that a second camera is planned for Martha Berry Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Highway."

Look here where this town removes it not because of the increase of accidents but because they had to send the money to the state.

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/22/2225.asp

"Lubbock, Texas city council votes to dismantle red light cameras after accidents increase without profit to the city."

Please reconsider these and if you're truly interested in public safety over revenue then please consider increasing the yellow time.

Thanks for your time,

[jstmike]

I just got my first responses:

This from one of the councilmembers:


Mike - I am a retired traffic expert from the Tacoma Police Department. I feel the same way you do and voted against the traffic cameras. John Knutsen

This from the Mayor:


Mike,

Thank you for your thoughtful email. The issues that you raise were the same that I talked about when this issue came before the council. The option of increasing the amount of time the yellow light goes on can be part of the program with these traffic lights. In addition, there can be some time between when the red light goes on and the other intersection light goes from red to green. That should give more time for the driver to make a good choice.

I realize that some communities see these devices as a source of income. I do not. There is one factor that must be considered. Traffic and speeding is a major, consistent concern expressed in our community. This is one way to help meet that need. (another is the active radar signs that tell you your speed). The most expensive method is hiring more police officers. One additional officer, with car, equipment, and training can cost the city up to $100,000 a year.

The major reason for these traffic lights is cost effectiveness. We will monitor the program while it is in this trial phase.

Thanks for your comments.
Don Malloy

[angelatc]

I live in a small rural community and we just got our first red light camera and it is making me feel like a criminal.

I'm wondering maybe we should follow our public officials around with camcorders because you never know when they will be breaking the law.

Maybe we should make a law where the public officials need to wear webcams so we can watch them on the Internet?

My friend said that laser pointers fix them right up. I do not know if it is true,

[jstmike]

This is for real?
What is the title of this legislation?

It looks like this is called Road Pricing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_Pricing

Here is the testing in Seattle:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002102955_tollproject28m.html

It also looks like some insurance companies have Pay As You Drive:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAYD

You already might have a black box in your car that records some information:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/11/black-boxes-becoming-more-common-in-cars/