Red Light Camera -- good idea?

[popeye]

The camera automatically photographs drivers who run red lights, so police can ticket them.

http://www.redlightcamera.com/howitworks.html

Boon to public safety, or infringement of right to privacy?

[Ripsnort]

I see pro's and con's, personally speaking, it doesn't affect me, so I could care less either way...

An example of a pro is evident, possibly less "T-Bone" type accident potential (incidently, thats the worse kind of accident you can be in apparently since a side blow to the head is more deadly than a frontal blow)

A Con?  Can't think of one right off hand...other than the old "privacy" arguement.

[Mickey1992]

Eventhough the cameras serve the same purpose as having a COP sitting on the corner, I was on the fence on this issue until I saw a TV program last month.

They now have red light camera systems that are integraded with the hardware that runs the traffic lights.  Computers not only take pics of people running a red light, they are also able to determine if a car is slowing for a red light or if they are going to run it before they even reach the intersection.  If the system predicts that a car is going to run the red light, it does not give a green light to any other traffic for a predetermined number of seconds in order to give the idiot time to run the light without hitting someone else.

Put them everywhere, I say.

[narsus]

Didn't know about mickey very cool. Well I don't run red lights so it doesn't concern me.

There is a very bad attitude in this country that if no one is watching they didn't break they law.

Can't tell you how many times I wish a cop was present to pull over someone for being stupid.

Put em in I say!

[Charon]

I used to watch aholes in Chicago use the turn lanes to "jump ahead" of the standing traffic. In NY I've seen traffic lights that are just "suggestions." On some expressways, you can watch cars use the shoulder as their private lane. I'm all for traffic cameras, since the police don't seem to like actually patrolling in heavy traffic. Given the public nature of driving, and hopefully some common sense where yellow lights are concerned, I personally don't feel it's a privacy issue.

Charon

[AKS\/\/ulfe]

Pro: Catches everyone who runs a red light.

Con: They have lights now-a-days with a yellow that is more of a white. How the shreck am I supposed to know what light I'm looking at in the middle of the night? It suddenly changes red, and I'm running the light?? That's a joke, right?

Pro: Allows police officers to do things other than watching intersections.

Con: As it is now, virtually every intersection in Wash, DC has a policeman camping at it.. it's a waste of money to put the cameras in if we're gonna have policemen at every corner.. (dunno if it's a temporary thing or what, but it's been this way for the past month)

The biggest con: There are several easy ways to beat the cameras...
-SW

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe


The biggest con: There are several easy ways to beat the cameras...
-SW

Elaborate please.

[AKS\/\/ulfe]

California stops, reflective plate covers, or simply driving between the two lanes through the intersection...

if there's a camera there, chances are there ain't a cop..
-SW

[Mickey1992]

I found one.  "CrossingGuard" is one such product.

"Additionally, CrossingGuard can also help to reduce the risk of intersection crashes associated with red light running. Through its advanced video detection technology, CrossingGuard is able to track approaching traffic to predict whether or not a driver will stop for the red light. If the system predicts that the vehicle will not stop, the system begins recording the violation, and it sends a message to the signal light controller to briefly extend the red light for crossing traffic. The violation is captured on video and a collision can be avoided."

http://www.nestor.com/

[john9001]

how do the police know who was driving the car? or do they give the car a ticket?
"i had to sell my car, it had a bad driving record"

[AKS\/\/ulfe]

It always goes to the owner of the vehicle...

Unless you can prove otherwise (which I assume would be easy if you wore face paint and drove around :-), then you'll get the ticket.

BTW, the cameras not only give you a fine for running the red light, but also for how fast you were going above the speed limit to get through that light.
-SW

[Heater]

As Someone living in Europe Cameras are everywhere and are quite effective not only for Lights but also along the highways for speed control, I must admit I hate the dam things but on the other hand the do work, the only other draw back is people soon learn where they are at and slowdown to the speed limit just long enough to pass out of the range of the camera then speed back up which creats other problems.

[Chairboy]

I've often wondered, what happens if an intersection with a camera happens to have a police car sitting there waiting for a turn and you run the red light.  Will you get two tickets?  Eg, will the cop pull you over in addition to automated ticket?  How does the cop know whether or not the violator was was imaged?

Just something to ponder...

[LePaul]

I'm all for them.  I live near a bad intersection where almost daily, someone guns it when its yellow and shoots thru a red light at 50mph in a 25mph.  

Cops cant be everywhere, and as someone that's been t-boned by someone who ran a light (an insurance salesman!  Fastest settlement I ever had in all the accidents I've heard of!)...its one more piece of evidence that can help sweep away a frivolous lawsuit....or when witnesses "arent sure" etc etc.

I also think they should put a big sign that says "THIS INTERSECTION IS VIDEO MONITORED"  Hell, even if it isn't, just that sign alone will slow down many.

I'm used to the kids running the lights...and the old lady not knowing better.  Its the guys in service trucks, 18 wheelers and dump trucks wooshing thru a school area that annoy me.  If they value that commecial license, slow down.

[Apache]

Originally posted by popeye
The camera automatically photographs drivers who run red lights, so police can ticket them.

http://www.redlightcamera.com/howitworks.html

Boon to public safety, or infringement of right to privacy?

Why would it be an infringement of right of privacy?