Extra tax this week

BB_TX · Aug 13, 2004

I have to take issue with all the complaints about the red light cameras. It sounds as though it should be OK to run a red light without having to worry about being caught by a camera. If you run red lights, you should be caught, whether by camera or officer hiding behind a nearby sign. If you don't run red lights, then you have nothing to worry about. Same with speeding. Speeding and red light running does cause accidents. Accidents hurt people physically and financially.
I admit to driving a little over the limit fairly often. If I get a ticket, it is my fault, not the officers. He is just doing his job. If you run a red light, you are breaking the law. If you drive over the limit, you are breaking the law. If you get a ticket, no one to blame but yourself. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Sorry. Now off my soapbox. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Gatorboy · Aug 13, 2004

I have to take issue with all the complaints about the red light cameras. It sounds as though it should be OK to run a red light without having to worry about being caught by a camera. 

I don't think anyone thinks it's OK to run red lights. The cameras are a cash cow for a city/county. Many towns are now shortening the yellow just to "catch" more violations. Now, what you see is people SLAMMING on their brakes when the light turns yellow, which now is causing more rear-end accidents.

I guess soon, the entire police department will run everything from a PC with thousands of cameras.

BIG BROTHER is watching!

Bird · Aug 13, 2004

( Pick on the guys making a living and let the people racing home to sit on the couch go as fast as they want. )

Now Richard, you know better than than. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I've heard it's kinda like going fishing; you can never catch all the fish in the lake. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I think I can guarantee you that when you have several vehicles speeding, the officer is going to try to get the fastest ones, but may not succeed in every case. And while I've been out of law enforcement quite awhile, I'm pretty sure the officers still try to get the most dangerous ones first. Which one would you rather have hit you and your rig; a little sedan or a 5 or 10 ton truck? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

And besides, police officers have one thing in common with doctors (and other professions); they're human. We haven't been able to recruit any elsewhere yet. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Some are better than others, and all make mistakes at one time or another. And of course with police officers, any violator caught will always think the officer should have caught someone else or should have been enforcing some other law. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

BB_TX · Aug 13, 2004

Many towns are now shortening the yellow just to "catch" more violations. 
I suspect this is more urban legend than fact. Have not seen any documented proof that this is true.

 SLAMMING on their brakes when the light turns yellow, which now is causing more rear-end accidents 
And this is because of them speeding and tailgateing trying to also get thru the light while it is still yellow. I drive this kind of traffic every day and see it at every light.

Gatorboy · Aug 13, 2004

And this is because of them speeding and tailgateing trying to also get thru the light while it is still yellow. 

I have to respectfully disagree on this statement. A yellow light is just a notice that the light will be turning red -- perfectly legal to drive through a yellow. If someone is 50' from an intersection and the light turns yellow, most people will continue through. If someone decides to slam on the brakes (from fear of a ticket), even if you are a reasonable distance behind, you may find yourself sitting in their backseat. I know that a Honda Civic will stop alot faster than my Chevy K3500 Crew Cab.

Durbob · Aug 13, 2004

( In most of the states you have to be 5-10 tons before the law applies. I see it all the time where a big truck or pickup/trailer is pulled over but people are going 80 and 90 down the highway and not a word. Go figure. Pick on the guys making a living and let the people racing home to sit on the couch go as fast as they want. )

 
Exactly right Cowboydoc! Construction speed limits of 55 are supposed to be for all traffic, but 4 wheelers blow through there much faster, but let a big truck go through that fast and instant ticket. Also, aren't dot cops supposed to moniter cars and trucks? I've never yet seen a car pulled over going by a dot cop with a headlight out, but let a big truck go by with a light out and he's pulled over. When i first started driving a truck i would argue with other drivers on the cb who cried they were getting picked on by the bears...but not anymore! It is obvious there is a discrimination against truckers. By the way...what do you call a state highway patrolman with no teeth? ...........a gummy bear.

Inspector507 · Aug 13, 2004

Re: Extra tax this week *DELETED*

Post deleted by Inspector507

Gatorboy · Aug 13, 2004

No matter how hard I slam on my brakes, you need to stop without hitting me, that's the law. 

I know the person who hits someone from behind is at fault -- why is it so hard to understand the meaning of my posts? I'm explaining why there are more rear-end collisions with the use of red-light cameras.

For the record, I've driven now for over 26 years and I have never had an accident.

BIGUN · Aug 13, 2004

( And of course with police officers, any violator caught will always think the officer should have caught someone else or should have been enforcing some other law. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif )

Man that’s exactly what I thought when I got caught speeding down I-35 through Glen Heights, south of Dallas, last year. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif As you know, hardly anyone speeds on I-35. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Bird · Aug 13, 2004

( I have to respectfully disagree on this statement )

And I'd have to disagree with you and agree with BB TX. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I, too, have seen plenty of it.