| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
If you don't want to pay cops, then get traffic safety agents. I'd still rather see PEOPLE than cameras. | ||
| Ferocity02 |
Unless you consistently run red lights, I don't know why you're worried. The red light is there to keep your ass alive. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Gee, that sounds a lot like if you aren't doing anything wrong you got nothing to worry about argument. Anyone see what's been going on in the gov. lately? | ||
| Geforce |
People aren't upset about the cameras being there to ENFORCE TRAFFIC...problem is, some drivers actually SPEED UP or SLAM on their BRAKES to avoid these and it can and has caused accidents. There are times when I know I won't make the light I try to stop, but there times when your timing just plain sucks and there's not much you can do. 'Course, I for one don't agree with the money making scheme. | ||
| Froggy |
I once got pulled over for running a red light. I was approaching a light, it turned yellow, but as I was slowing down I noticed a dark spot right before the stop line. Not sure if it was slick or not, I carefully coasted around it rather than jamming on the brakes and going down if it was oil. I explained that to the officer, he pretty much agreed I did the right thing and let me go. Its not like the light was stale red and I had plenty of warning to slow down. | ||
| Ducbsa |
NYC uses Nikon D200's . . . but . . you can do SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Electrical contractors have cherry-pickers. We all hope you aren't tempted. This may have been back in the '80's, but when speed cameras were tried in Texas, "hunters" mistook them for deer or something and the program was dropped. | ||
| Jaimec |
Froggy: There you have it. A PERSON can make a judgment call. A MACHINE can't. | ||
| Elsinore74 |
As the recipient of a speed camera shot of my Blazer leaving the 3rd St Tunnel in DC at well over the posted limit, I can say that yes, speed cameras work. If I hadn't been the only speeding vehicle in the camera's FOV, what then? Does it produce a wide enough image (and discriminate different vehicles' speeds) to allow the adjudicating authority to sort, crop, then ticket all of us? Doubt it. I agree we're all responsible for our decisions and the actions that result. No problem. I still vote for a person to make the call. | ||
| Sifo |
Even with the cameras people are making the call. It goes through multiple reviews by real people before a ticket is issued. At least that's how it works around here. You might want to check with your local authorities. | ||
| Froggy |
You can't tell from a photo that you ran a light to avoid an accident. They just look at the photo and see, "Yep, hes in the middle of the intersection, cuff him." I wonder if it picks up people making a right on red? How would it know without video if he came to a complete stop or just blew through it? | ||
| Sifo |
There is video that is saved along with a pair of photos. It all gets reviewed. Granted road conditions may not be apparent in the video, but I've been busted by a cop that would not let me offer any explanation either. Threatened to cuff me before I even got a complete sentence out. I hate to make it personal Froggy, but as someone who has had numerous accidents, how many were the cause of oil on the road, or similar fair that would not be seen in the video? I just don't see that many situations where running a light prevents an accident. I do however see where running a light can cause an accident. BTW, I drive for a job where safety is our #1 concern. I have never heard any discussion of having to run a red light to avoid an accident. We do have plenty of discussion about avoiding accidents though. | ||
| Jaimec |
As a motorcyclist I remember VIVIDLY the one time I ran a red light to avoid being rear-ended. Rainy night in Port Washington, NY. I was sitting at a traffic light and (as a well-trained MSF person) the bike was in first gear with my hand on the clutch. I was scanning the rear view mirror and the traffic light in sequence. I saw the headlights of an approaching car. Suddenly I heard the distinct sound of wheels sliding on wet pavement. I let out the clutch and rode through the light at a diagonal towards the curb on the right hand side of the road (it was a T-intersection and I was on the top part of the T). Not even a second later the car went through the spot I just vacated SIDEWAYS. So yes... I can EASILY see how running a red light can avoid an accident. | ||
| Froggy |
2 from black ice. One was left turn lane at intersection, slid into the intersection a few feet, the other was on a back road nothing special, just a shady spot where the sun probably melted the ice in the morning and it froze again in the afternoon. I also had one wreck where I hit an oil or diesel slick on an interstate on-ramp. They teach you in the MSF course to keep your bike in gear at stops in case you need to take off in a hurry. What if it was one of those situations where the lady behind you doesn't see you and won't stop in time? Happened a few weeks ago, it was posted on here, the biker was struck and killed. Yes you would be at risk running into an intersection, but it would be one of those things where instincts take over and you would do what you have to do. Hopefully the video would at least see all that before they start sending out unjustified tickets. | ||
| Froggy |
Thank you Jamie. Story about the accident I mentioned: http://cbs2chicago.com/local/nail.painting.acciden t.2.1000796.html | ||
| Rainman |
Better a $200 ticket than a $500 ambulance ride....... | ||
| Sifo |
Jaimec, do you think they would ticket you if the video showed that? I seriously doubt it. Quite familiar with the accident you mention Froggy. I know someone that was invited out on that ride. He says that he rides sweeper when he rides with them. If he didn't have to work that day it would likely have been him. Rainman has it right. A ticket (that doesn't even go on your driving record) is small poop compared with having an accident. I can show you an intersection where I've seen on a regular basis people making a left turn through a red light from a right turn lane. Read that line again to make sure you've got the situation understood. There is blatant disregard for red lights in some areas just because people are in a hurry. BTW, I live in a town that is known for DUI arrests. We have far more DUI arrests than Chicago even though we are a fairly small town. Drunks know to avoid our area. Does that make me feel safer? You bet! I also feel safer knowing that people think twice about running a red light. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I have had to run many redlights, or make emergency exit stage right to avoid being hit from behind from drivers not paying attention. | ||
| Jaimec |
Sifo: In NY, there ARE NO VIDEOS!! There is just a still photo shot of your plate. That's it. They're CHEAP here. | ||
| Sifo |
Sad to hear. I would think that a simple photo would not hold up well in court. I'm glad they are doing a better job in my area. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Down here....your ticket comes with a pic of the incident...there is an internet link where you can view the actual video. Big brother is watching you!!! | ||
| Sifo |
That's the system we use. You actually get 2 pictures. One of the car and a close up of the license suitable for framing. Then you get a link to the video that can be shared with family and friends. | ||
| Rainman |
Big brother is watching you!!! You got that right. We have video cameras at nearly every intersection, on every public building, in school buses and city buses. It wouldn't be hard to install face-recognition software and track down all sorts of people. In fact, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic le/2009/05/27/AR2009052703627.html | ||
| Gschuette |
I have been flashed multiple times (for speeding I assume) while on the bike recently. I'm not an idiot and I can remember where all three speed/red light cameras are in town. I'm so paranoid about them that I usually go a good 5-8 mph under the speed limit as I go through intersections. Good thing I still have my Utah tags on my bike. Why do I keep getting flashed?!!!!! It amazes me that people put up with all this big government bull shit on a daily basis. Come join me my friends, vote libertarian! Oh yeah! Anarchy! Woo Hoo! I hate this big government money grabbing crap. I'm looking for the antithesis of Obama change. I thought we all read 1984 in grade school to prevent this crap. Damn the majority of voters are stupid. Sorry but I have had enough! | ||
| Sifo |
The flash of course is the picture being taken. The fact that you aren't getting tickets in the mail shows that the review process is working. | ||
| Sifo |
BTW, if you think traffic cameras are big brother, just wait until all of your health care is government controlled. Big Brother, cradle to the grave. | ||
| Rainman |
Next we're coming after your Hayabusas and giving you all Blasts and TU 250s! Good, safe, fuel-efficient transportation. You want to tour, take public transportation and reduce your carbon footprint. | ||
| Smoke |
i routinely turn left on red in the turning lane when there is NO oncoming traffic in sight. i also cross intersections at red lights when there is no traffic in sight. i really don't understand the reasoning to sit through the light cycles when there is -0- traffic. stop, look, listen, use your brain. don't spend your money in places that have the cameras and do let the city government know the reason why you are taking your revenue elsewhere. tim | ||
| Unibear12r |
As an ex LEO I don't care for these things. I loved the fake radar emitters. No ticket, just kept those with detectors alert. They do shorten the yellow on the intersections with cameras to increase citations. There are more low damage accidents at these intersections. A private company, interested only in making money, installs, maintains, and issues the cites for these things. The cites are issued to the current vehicle RO and not the guilty party. Even if the vehicle was recently sold and the current RO has sent in a release of responsibility. In that case the old owner has to find the new owner and get him into court to admit he is responsible so that the old owner can be absolved of the crime. This injustice incenses me. The only positive is a SMALL decrease in major injury accidents. That stat would stay even if they took the cameras out after a week or so. Or put up a cardboard cut out of a patrol car once in a while. Or it became widely known as a heavy patrol area. They should put a little money in what works instead of sucking money from those who work. Red light cameras should be outlawed. Did you know that they had to change the laws governing your rights to make them legal? | ||
| Sifo |
Even if the vehicle was recently sold and the current RO has sent in a release of responsibility. This has my BS meter going pretty high. The only thing they have to track the car with is the plate. You don't sell the plate with the car. The car would either be running with new plates, plates to another car that belonged to the new owner or stolen plates. If you have reported your plates stolen they will let you off of the ticket too. | ||
| Unibear12r |
Plates go with the car here unless personalized AND you choose to keep them. And they don't care much about matching faces to pictures. No BS, I've seen the process up close. |
