Posted on 02/22/2013 4:17:46 PM PST by Kaslin
It's the technology that, for years, local officials embraced and drivers loathed.
Red-light cameras have steadily popped up across the country, snagging supposed scofflaws and generating untold numbers of traffic tickets. But despite the revenue boost, some state and local lawmakers are beginning to fall out of love with these electronic tattle-tales.
In Florida, a push to force the state to ditch its red-light cameras is gaining momentum in the legislature. The bill banning the recording devices comes just two years after lawmakers legalized their use on Florida streets. Last week, a House committee advanced the ban in a 10-8 vote, kicking it to the full chamber for a verdict.
Across the country, several states and cities are considering similar moves.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Not to worry, they will be replaced by drones!
Traffic cameras catch a much higher percentage of violations than the old fashioned “cop behind a billboard” method. The size of fines evolved to create sufficient deterrence, given the low probability of getting caught. IOW, we (the potential offenders) would consider both the size of the fine, and the probability of getting caught, when deciding whether it’s worth while speeding, running a yellow light, or whatever. Here’s a simple formula for the deterrence effect: Low probability of being caught X high fine = high probability of being caught X lower fine.
With traffic cams, the probability of getting caught is much greater. That means that a smaller fine should create sufficient deterrence effect (especially when combined with a points system, that would result in a license suspension for multiple offenders.)
Naturally, it has never occurred to any government to lower the fines, when traffic cams are introduced. Hence the oft-heard accusation that the cameras are all part of a cash grab.
We survived multiple decades without cameras at traffic lights. Now Big Brother Govt wants to micro-manage us down toi every detail and punish us with fines when we jump a little too high or wide out of their box of schemes.
We should use those cameras as target practice.
Not in Connecticut:
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/investigations/Lawmakers-to-Consider-Red-Light-Cameras-Again-191746731.html
Lawmakers to Consider Red Light Cameras Again
By Chris Coffey | Tuesday, Feb 19, 2013
So, no WE didn't survive without the cameras ~ you may have, but not everybody did.
The typical red-light runner acts like he doesn't even see the pedestrians.
Not see me? Harrumph ~ there's a way to fix that. When you approach an intersection pick up a small rock. All at once you are visible and the would be red-light runners end up sitting there waiting on a light change ~ and they glower at you the whole time.
Hide the rock and you are invisible; bring out the rock and you are visible.
You people run those red lights ON PURPOSE. You don't care if you kill or maim someone.
So, no sympathy on the fines, and note this, with concealed carry so common these days you really don't know how high the price of running a red light might be.
The more corrupt the regime, the more prevalent the electronic cops. If you’re driving within the Chicago city limits (and you actually survive the trip), be aware that not only is the city overrun with red-light cameras, but that in the near future, almost 80% of the roadways will be covered by speed-monitoring cameras.
Rowan Atkinson included in one of his “Johnny English” movies a scene in which he blows away a traffic camera with a James-Bond-like automobile-mounted rocket - I wish I’d seen that bit in a movie theater to see what kind of applause it registered.
Could be, but from the standpoint of any frequent pedestrian who has to navigate a dangerous intersection there can never be too many red lights.
As the guy who drives the firetruck or periodically ambulance, I hate red light cameras.
With out them we come screaming up to an intersection and people will treat the red light like a blinking yellow light and move on when safe.
Where there is a camera they just freeze, as would I. I just wish the Einsteins that think the cameras are such great ideas would be the one who just keeled over with the heart attack...
Still better than being run down and squarshed like a bug.
Trouble is the majority of the tickets they make are due to people pulling the front tire over the white line.
I see plenty of rear enders where the short yellow comes on, slam on brakes and bam!
It’s all about the money.
Anyone who actually supports red light cameras better be lining up to have their phones tapped and allow the cops to use their house as temporary quarters.
Could be, but from the standpoint of any frequent pedestrian who has to navigate a dangerous intersection there can never be too many red lights.
I can understand your viewpoint. But at a few of the intersections I have to go through that have a camera, I have never seen pedestrians. One intersection in particular is between an industrial area and a commercial area.
The cops here are really sneaky setting up speed traps with their stealthy jet black Camaro’s with the flat lights on the roofs, and all their unmarked cars. They love dark cloudy days because they are hard to site
I never had a problem seeing the red light camera's in Maryland but now I use waze GPS/navigator on my iphone and it automatically warns me of all red light cameras, and police and traffic problems too by user input.
I also use it to report police positions hidden and visible, it asks which it is. I find that the most fun, it asks if I want to take a picture of the cop too... that is fun.
waze is free too.
It’s a high-tech hot war out there!
“But, what will cities and towns do to get that extra revenue when “self-driving” cars, like what Google is testing, replaces the drivers, and the cars obey all the rules of the road and stop at all traffic lights and stop signs?”
According to some articles I’ve read, these auto-autos won’t necessarily ever have to stop. Every vehicle would communicate with all others approaching an intersection, and they would just time everything so they zip through the intersection while just missing each other. Kind of like some kind of musical ride. To me, it would be a very scary ride — I’d probably be on the floorboards hiding my eyes. Maybe, I’d get used to it after a while.
Waze is available for Android devices.
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