red light cameras

[brianl703]

quote:

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Originally posted by labman:
Then we can cut out the long yellows and 4 way red cycles. Dumb idea. People just take advantage of it to run the red lights later and later in the cycle.

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The instructions given in the MUTCD for calculating yellow-light duration have gradually resulted in lower and lower yellow light times for the last 25 years.

Every time they've changed the instructions, the calculated yellow-light time decreases.

The four-way red is a fine example of that--it used to be that instead of, say, 4 seconds of yellow followed by 2 seconds of four-way red, it was 6 seconds of yellow with no all-way red.

Now, I have no idea what has changed in the last 25 years to suddenly cause drivers to be able to respond quicker to a yellow light, but they HAVE been shortening them.

 

[mikemc]

I have no problem with traffic cams. Running red lights is dangerous business that puts folks' lives in danger. It's a sad statement on today's society that some 'adults' need big brother to make them obey public safety rules.

 

[Matt_S]

I wish they would put a red light camera at the end of my street. I can't tell you how many people I've honked at going through the red light 2 - 3 seconds after the light turned red when I was waiting to turn. From what I can see, the issue is either lack of attention or lack of caring. Without exception, the people I honk at whip their head around to look at me in absolute shock, like they were sleeping (I love doing that to red light runners, BTW

) The problem isn't intersection design, either. The light is perfectly visible and the road completely straight.

OK, rant over. Personally, I have no problem with red light cameras. If you don't stop on time, you're risking a very serious accident (I see one every month or so at the end of my street). A lot of road fatalities happen when people run red lights. The more we can do to stop red light running, the better, IMHO.

 

[kreigle]

I wish we had a couple of them around here. We have a couple of lights where people keep running the left turn long after they lose the green arrow and the light turns green for oncoming traffic. I've seen as many a 6 or 7 cars go through after the oncoming light turns green!!! Usually if I am first at the light, I will wait for the first two or three cars to pass and then I pull out and pretend to charge the rest of the line... usually getting flipped off in the process. Stupid a**holes.

 

[brianl703]

I've never seen or heard of a red-light camera configured to catch left-turn arrow violators. Two problems I can think of:

1)The loop detector used for vehicle presence detection would interfere with the loop detector used for red-light violation detection.

2)If the light isn't a protected left turn (that is you can make a left turn yielding on green), there isn't a red light camera in the world smart enough to determine if a violation occurred.

If people are still making left turns when the arrow turns off, a simple solution would be to lengthen the left-turn arrow so that the entire queue of vehicles can go on one cycle...especially if the left turn traffic starts backing up into the through lanes.

 

[tweeker43]

many intersections used to cycle red all four directions before cycling green. yellows were longer as well, which is proven to reduce the number of red light violations.

these red light cameras are more for revenue generation than safety. people know that the yellows are shorter, and go for it. when the light gets pink they get a coupon.

 

[kenw]

better yet, take a picture of the "lady" in the H2 yelling at you after you honked at her when she almost t-boned you. She was going thru the intersection about 20mph over the speed limit AND at least 3 seconds after it had gone full (not slightly) red.

Honestly, this is a near-verbatim quote: "You are so rude for honking!"

I just smiled and said, "Cheese!"

(click)

When you take that picture of her, make sure you include the real estate sign with her office name and website. It makes it easy to email it to her directly.....and copy of her competitors who have to do business with her.

No revenue to be generated but it sure is fun! Hmmm, haven't seen her around in quite awhile now that I think about it...

btw, I have no problem with red light cameras properly implemented.

 

[JohnnyO]

There was a lawsuit a while ago that showed they shortened yellow light times after installing the cameras and the manufacturer got a cut of the ticket revenue.
I forget the name, but there is a company that advertises in the back of Car & Driver magazine that makes a clear piece that goes over your plate. From straight on it's okay, from angles it blocks your number.
I'm in PA, still kicking myself for not getting a Flagship Niagara special plate. White numbers on a mostly white background. You can't read it, so they quit making them.

 

[kenw]

" forget the name, but there is a company that advertises in the back of Car & Driver magazine that makes a clear piece that goes over your plate. From straight on it's okay, from angles it blocks your number. "

those are illegal in many states.

 

[3000GT VR-4]

quote:

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Originally posted by phillyFX4:
Any ingenious aftermarket ideas,( tag covers, sprays) out there in other parts of the country?

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This place has a cover and several sprays available for your plate, some as low as $12: Red Light Camera Defenses

 

[andrews]

Fantastic examples of what having character is all about. Unbelievable!

 

[3000GT VR-4]

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkC:
I'm with John Browning on this one. I see way too many cops sitting on the interstate doing nothing except trying to decide which one of us to gig for some cash this time. With few exceptions, we'ree all going faster than the speed limit, but they'll stop someone at random, and let somebody else fly by at 80mph.

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True. It's called selective enforcement. There is no way the small number of officers could stop every violator out there, so they have to pick and choose. The idea is that their presence on the streets and issuance of a few tickets will have a deterrent effect on other drivers who might otherwise violate the traffic laws. After all, what would it be like if there were NO officers out there? 2 Fast 2 Furious 24/7.

 

[phillyFX4]

quote:

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Originally posted by andrews:
I have no problem with them. Just obey the law. It amazes me how some of the people posting here can just openly discuss law-breaking like it's a fun game. I sure hope the next moron that runs a light doesn't kill my lovely wife or son that IS obeying the law. IDIOTS! Get a life....don't risk taking one.

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You mention "character" in a later post while you criticize and read what you want to read from a post. You should know something about a person before you judge them. Nobody is advocating running red lights. That would be pretty counter-productive across the nation and believe me I'm no Darwin award winner. Installing these things just to collect reveue is horse-sh*t. The companies, who install those things at no cost to the cities and collect a big share of that revenue by whatever means (playing with the yellow light timing) is horse-sh*t. $100./ticket is alot of money to some of us. Some politicians who can't manage a big city budget then try to make up for their blunders with schemes like these is horse-sh*t. That was the ONLY point I was trying to make.

 

[SteelheadGuide]

quote:

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Originally posted by phillyFX4:

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$100./ticket is alot of money to some of us.

Heres a simple solution,if you can't afford the ticket,don't break the law. If you get a ticket for running a red light,tough sh*t! If you get a ticket for speeding,tough sh*t!

This isn't directed only at you,but to all the whiners out there that have to bit*h about getting a traffic ticket. You chose to break the law so deal with it.

 

[sprintman]

Exactly!!

 

[MarkC]

Well, I don't run red lights, or stop signs, and I don't drive recklessly or speed any more than everybody else does on the freeway. But I don't like the intrusion of cameras everywhere. But, since it seems they're here to stay, I say why not put the cops on camera too? I don't mean those cheesy in car, looking through the windshield cameras, I mean watch them all the time.
I'm sure that idea will fly like winged pig.
And having them do the slective enforcement, and just letting themselves be seen doesn't work very well either. If it did, they wouldn't be having to write tickets.

 

[Cutehumor]

it probably depends on where you live. I heard some people say here they got a ticket for running a red light, it was yellow when they entered the intersection. but supposedly they were 3/4 through the intersection when the pic took showing it red.

 

[andrews]

quote:

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You mention "character" in a later post while you criticize and read what you want to read from a post.

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PhillyFX4, what does being critical of a post have to do with my character being poor?

quote:

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You should know something about a person before you judge them.

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I based my judgement upon statements reflecting a desire to evade and trick law enforcement in regard to red light cameras. This is self indicative of a lack of character.

quote:

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Nobody is advocating running red lights.

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Oh? Seems rather obvious, to anyone reading some of the above posts, that this is exactly what is being advocated by using devices and techniques designed to fool the lights. Any other conclusion would be ignoring the truth.

quote:

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Installing these things just to collect reveue is horse-sh*t.

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I don't believe that this is the reason that these devices are installed. Have you ever stood on a busy street corner and watched how many idiots run red lights? It happens nearly every light change! Many innocent people are injured or killed because of low lifes like this. Face it my friend, all you need to do is just OBEY THE LAW! It's not hard to understand. If you don't like the lights, start a petition or call the press with evidence that it's just a cash-cow, instead of complaining. Remember though, even if one was put in to bring in revenue (highly doubtfull), no revenue would be collected if you stop when it's red. It's the law.

 

[kenw]

why does some want to use the word "intrusion"? It's a falacy, it's NOT an intrusion, you are on a public road in public view and have no rights nor expectations of "privacy" to be intruded upon according to the Supreme Court. Anyone can take your picture and you can't do a thing about it.

I would like someone to explain to me why they think a cop on the road with a radar gun is ok but a camera isn't.

 

[MarkC]

I don't like radar guns or cameras, and I don't care whether you say we have no right or expectation of privacy in public. I still don't like it. Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right.
But what's good for one should be good for all, so put the cops on camera for their entire shift too.