Radar Cameras

[fivestring]

In the beginning, there was privitazation of collection of alarm fines.
Observing that such would not tie up police officer time and salaries, the thoughts turned to red light cameras.
"We can reduce accidents and save life and property" were the shouts of the powers that be. And so, it came to pass that red light cameras were installed at quite a few intersections.
Seeing how money was to be had (I mean lives and property saved and the cost of police officers salaries saved) with these two privatized functions, the powers that be said, "Let there be radar cameras". "We can reduce speeding, thus saving more lives and property" were the battle cries.
And thus, it was so. So far, 14 of them. "Speed thru our city and we'll catch you on camera with a radar showing your speed. We are saving lives and property by fining you".

Big brother?
Money maker?

Hey, at the rate they're going, we won't even need Police officers in 6 years! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, well. I'll be retired then.
I just hope I don't have to call 911 and have a robot show up!

 

[Glenn9643]

Apparently they're everywhere! There's been quite a bit of discussion on local talk radio about the red-light cameras installed by several cities in this area, and the general concensus is that it's cheap and generates REVENUE.

 

[mathey]

we've had the red light cameras here for quite a few years...so most "locals" know where they are...when you approach those intersections, you need to have one foot on the gas and the other on the brake, because when that baby goes yellow, people lock em up hard...its fairly commonplace to hear screaching tires on any that are on a downhill slope...so is the intersection any safer now? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just hope I don't have to call 911 and have a robot show up! )</font>

Why not? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Were you an officer when they put the first female officers on routine patrol in uniform? Wonder how many people have told me, "I'd hate to be in trouble and call the police and have a woman show up!" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( because when that baby goes yellow, people lock em up hard...its fairly commonplace to hear screaching tires on any that are on a downhill slope...so is the intersection any safer now? )</font>

No, it's not any safer. People are now afraid of these cameras. If you ENTER the intersection when the light is yellow, you are fine -- regardless if it turns red while you are in the intersection.

What they give tickets for is when the picture shows the light red and a car is still NOT in the intersection, but then goes into the intersection AFTER the light has turned red.

But then again, there are hundreds of "Rules of the Road" most drivers don't understand. (e.g. "Slower traffic keep right")

 

[KubotaSteve]

It is really amazing all of the technology they are coming up with. In my line of work, I review several hundred grant application budgets a year for law enforcement agencies and technology items are at the top of the list especially cameras. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words and there isn't many problems in court.
Although one problem they are running into in DC with all of the congestion is cars having to go through redlights to get out of the way of emergency vehicles. The new red light cameras are becoming more complicated as the situation is recorded and reviewed as opposed to a snapshot. Did the person go through the light to avoid an accident get out of the way of emergency vehicle?

 

[Egon]

Gatorboy; there's times I go so slow and so far on the right everyone thinks I'm on the left.

Egon

 

[kokopelli2]

gatorboy
actually in maryland the cameras start shooting 1 second after the light goes yellow, and they are fining too....this is because the triggers are before the line and that means you would be crossing the line too late.....according to the powers that be that is. they have actually sped up the time on them now...they used to wait for a second after the light went red, but that wasnt making enough money.

 

[Egon]

Fivestring;

Perhaps a ski mask and paintball gun will do the trick or else always drive a borrowed car.

Egon

 

[BigDave]

I drive past a red light camera everyday to & from work. I've seen it go off plenty of times, & it was obvious every time to me, that the car ran the light. I've never seen it go off early. I was nervous at first, but I'll drive through yellows without fear now. If they were to put those radar cameras around here, I would be very nervous, & need to a get a license plate cover. Now, before anyone says anything about the legality of the covers, I know more firemen & policemen with those covers than anyone else. There's no professional courtesy granted when it's an automated camera.