Cities Caught Illegally Tampering With Traffic Lights To Increase Revenue Of Red Light Cameras
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 17 years
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Just last month there was the latest in a rather long line of reports noting that red light cameras tend to increase the number of accidents because people slam on their brakes to stop in time, leading to rear-ending accidents. Time and time again studies have shown that if cities really wanted to make traffic crossings safer there's a very simple way to do so: increase the length of the yellow light and make sure there's a pause before the cross traffic light turns green (this is done in some places, but not in many others). Tragically, it looks like some cities are doing the opposite! Jeff Nolan points out that six US cities have been caught decreasing the length of the yellow light below the legal limits in an effort to catch more drivers running red lights and increasing revenue. This is especially disgusting. These cities are actively putting more people in danger of serious injury or death solely for the sake of raising revenue -- while claiming all along that it's for safety purposes. Is it any surprise that one of the six cities is Dallas? Remember, just last month Dallas decided it wasn't going to install any more red light cameras because fewer tickets had hurt city revenue.
original article(s) at: http://www.leftlanenews.com/six-us-cities-tamper-with-traffi...
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080313/231629539.shtml
and http://techdirt.com/articles/20080410/011257809.shtml
City Extends Red Light Contract Camera
See article:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-230652-red-light.html
NickJr Nuvi 3597LMT
Baltimore to turn cameras back on
They are looking for a company who doesn't get a percentage of the take. Vote for me and I'll extend the yellow time, clearly mark the speed cameras and remove the ones that are no where near a school zone.
I'll allow 13 mph grace especially for the ones at the bottom of curved roads.
I should not even need to get out of bed once my changes are in place.
I hope New York doesn't
I hope New York doesn't follow suit with this idea.
It's just illegal.
I think it's illegal in California for any red light camera vendor to participate in the fines (profits) from camera tickets.
They can only be paid to operate the camera system. If the system give out one or 10 million citations, they are paid the same.
The legislature passed that law because cities were making hundreds of millions of dollars off the tickets, and the camera vendors had unclean hands.
Witness that the camera vendor in San Diego allegedly changed the yellow light time to enhance revenues. Lots of citations were subsequently dismissed.
not exactly
It all boils down to us. We allow them to do it so they keep raising the stakes. We need to be more vigilant of our gov. they get away with way too much if you let them.
My property tax goes up > 5% every year. With the exception of 2011, my salary does not typically go up 5% (in 2011 it went up >30% because I changed jobs), like it did in the early 2000's.
Changing jobs is within my control, the property tax increase is not. If the DOTs of the world shorten yellow lights, it is not because "we allow them to do it."
Sold!
They are looking for a company who doesn't get a percentage of the take. Vote for me and I'll extend the yellow time, clearly mark the speed cameras and remove the ones that are no where near a school zone.
I'll allow 13 mph grace especially for the ones at the bottom of curved roads.
I should not even need to get out of bed once my changes are in place.
dagarmin is pleased to announce that he is endorsing GeoC320 for Mayor of the City of Baltimore!
JMoo On
It Must Be Time
It must be time to get one of those rotating license plates as in a very old James Bond movie!
What I find most amazing is that the populace, as a whole, sits quietly back & takes a good screwing. Sure there are a few who break the law, but as many of you say, this isn't about safety. It's about MONEY!!!
Fred
Legalized cash grab
Until some one challenge the federal law on the time yellow must be on nothing is going to be done. If it is a local matter you never going to fix it. Takes long to eradicate local corrupted officials.
They claim it under the safe streets, and you can not see that. What you can see are frustrated drivers complaining without solutions.
You see many times and some situations where revenue is to be collected , they bring laws faster than a speeding train.
Red-light cams are cash grab not as safe devices like they make you believe. Increase the yellow time and you see no problem like they make you believe to be.
As long as there are freebee's for the unwashed
We the working people can never get enough votes to throw the bums out. Pima County turned off the cam's but watch our property tax. They always need more money or bonds, never spending cuts. Freebee takers outnumber us working people by a large enough margin that they can do as they please!
Control
It all boils down to us. We allow them to do it so they keep raising the stakes. We need to be more vigilant of our gov. they get away with way too much if you let them.
My property tax goes up > 5% every year. With the exception of 2011, my salary does not typically go up 5% (in 2011 it went up >30% because I changed jobs), like it did in the early 2000's.
Changing jobs is within my control, the property tax increase is not. If the DOTs of the world shorten yellow lights, it is not because "we allow them to do it."
An individual has almost no say in it, but if enough people get get together, they can win elections and get some say in these matters. Unfortunately, it is a large number needed to change things and is complicated by many other competing issues.
How to Address Traffic Cameras
An individual has almost no say in it, but if enough people get get together, they can win elections and get some say in these matters. Unfortunately, it is a large number needed to change things and is complicated by many other competing issues.
In almost all instances, traffic cameras are a municipal issue. In my opinion, individuals and small groups of people can have the most impact at the municipal level. If people are upset with the actions of their local government (such as implementation or expansion of traffic cameras) they can take political action.
Run for municipal council
I do agree with Tom's last statement, though. If the only reason a person wants to run for council is to get rid of traffic cameras, they might have a tough time getting elected.
I don't know if it is
I don't know if it is prevalent in other states but in the Chicago suburbs we have a severe problem with people making a left turn at busy intersections waiting until the light is red then making the turn. It is not uncommon to see at least 2 people turn left on red while opposing traffic has a green. We have had some serious accidents where an oncoming driver was approaching the light and continued on when they had the green only to hit a turning car.
John B - Garmin 765T
More than just a local issue
An individual has almost no say in it, but if enough people get get together, they can win elections and get some say in these matters. Unfortunately, it is a large number needed to change things and is complicated by many other competing issues.
In almost all instances, traffic cameras are a municipal issue. In my opinion, individuals and small groups of people can have the most impact at the municipal level. If people are upset with the actions of their local government (such as implementation or expansion of traffic cameras) they can take political action.
Run for municipal council
I do agree with Tom's last statement, though. If the only reason a person wants to run for council is to get rid of traffic cameras, they might have a tough time getting elected.
It is more than just a local issue since most drivers do not limit their driving to the municipality they live in. For most, that is not practical. It's better they ban cameras on a statewide or even national basis.
Really? How about with a semi truck at 80K lbs
Everybody; And I mean everybody; give your head a shake! Drive and pay attention to what is happening in front of you and you won't have to slam on your brakes. Simple. Three seconds is plenty of time; unless your on your cell phone or picking your nose! If someone runs into the back of you; then guess what; they weren't paying attention. A rear ender is a lot less serious that than a T-bone. Mind you; I could be wrong. You decide next time you come to a intersection with a "Short" yellow light!
I tend to drive slow even through the green but at 45mph with 40K lbs on my semi, I can not stop in less than 5 seconds.
And also the ticket is usually 5 times if it's a semi truck.
Greg
NOT JUST RLC
Around 10 years ago a cop was giving tickets near the Bronx Zoo. One of the newspapers discovered he was was using some kind of remote to cycle the light, as necessary, in order to meet his "quota".
It's not just the duration of the yellow light. The yellow duration on a RLC intersection could be set correctly. Lengthen the interval at nearby intersections and revue at the RLC should increase.
Rephrase, please.
...
It's not just the duration of the yellow light. The yellow duration on a RLC intersection could be set correctly. Lengthen the interval at nearby intersections and revue at the RLC should increase.
Sorry, I am not following what you wrote about "nearby" and "RLC revenue". Would you rephrase it, please.