looked at poi file yesterday
Sun, 07/22/2012 - 11:39am
    15 years
|
Actually, I was surprised at the proliferation of cams in places I wouldn't have expected. We tend to only worry about our own area.
At the growth rates with which these cams are being installed, do we really at some point say we pretty much have to stop at every red light? I know a coworker in Columbus OH says they tend to stop now.
It's not just stopping
This is not about running red lights. We need to know where the cameras are because trouble is expected. Some drivers don't know about the camera and are ready to blow the light while others know and are ready to slam on the brakes on yellow. This is a recipe for disaster. The redlight proximity alert is just a tool for defensive driving.
dobs108
I would hope so!
...do we really at some point say we pretty much have to stop at every red light? I know a coworker in Columbus OH says they tend to stop now.
That's the point of red lights - for people to stop. If it takes fear of a RLC ticket to change behavior, that's not a bad thing.
The Moose Is Loose! nuvi 760
Agree
Agree
Changing Behavior
That's the point of red lights - for people to stop. If it takes fear of a RLC ticket to change behavior, that's not a bad thing.
I saw something on ABC World News on July 13th that supports what Moose135 said. The segment was presented by Jim Avila, one of ABC New's senior correspondents. This is roughly what was telecast.
Segment on ABC World News reported by Jim Avila July 13 2012
[video of crash in Roselle Park, New Jersey]
“… police releasing this video as a warning that they take red light running seriously because it is responsible for the most deadly type of accidents. One in five crashes are caused by red light violators.”
[reporter at that intersection]
“[these crashes] are not uncommon. In fact, these cameras show that, across the country, at each intersection, someone runs a red light every 20 minutes.”
[video clip of woman whose husband was killed by red light runner]
“Cities and towns across the country [are] fighting back. More than 500 in 25 states have installed red light cameras to crack down and it seems to be working. Less serious rear-enders are up because of panic stops, but fatal accidents are down nearly 25%.
New York city reported a 34% decrease in red light violations since installing their cameras. New Orleans down a whopping 85%. And, Council Bluff Iowa down 90%. The insurance industry says drivers are afraid of tickets and fines.”
[Spokeswoman for insurance industry]
“And the cameras have told us something about whose is running these lights most often. Men – with bad driving records – often distracted by their cellphones …
I would like to know the source of their statistics, but , for the cities mentioned, it seems that violations have decreased dramatically. This would seem to indicate that drivers have changed their behavior - at least around red light camera locations.
RLC profits
That's the point of red lights - for people to stop. If it takes fear of a RLC ticket to change behavior, that's not a bad thing.
I've always had a fear of getting a ticket for blowing a red light. Not from a camera, but from an officer. That's why I don't do it, unless it's completely unavoidable.
food for thought
When I was in HS, people pulled a lot of stunts. A lot (and I am not that old LOL). Today, none of that can be done--why? Because there is an assumption that everything is on camera. So kids cannot pull the same stunts. Yet the live their lives and still have fun.
When I'm in MD, there is a presumption that if you speed, you get a ticket, people change their behavior accordingly. And as it was explained to me, once in a while they get careless, and voila, $40 fine (not the end of the world).
So as these cameras proliferate like cancer, do we eventually just say, we continue to live our lives and try not to run red lights? I think so. Let's be real, do we have time to constantly fight against something that is in reality in the right?
Knowing Where They Are
I like to know where these cameras all for many reasons. Ticket purposes and defensive driving reasons.
There is a profit motive here as well.
Especially since most of these RLC's are contracted out to private companies.
human vs. machine
Especially since most of these RLC's are contracted out to private companies.
You know what's funny, I believe that there is "no" profit motive with a police officer, it is in the interest of public safety.
When I got caught for 52 in a 25, it would have been 5 points (for DMV, 6 = suspension), and a hefty $ amount. The officer told me to appear in court, and they would be lenient. They were--they pretty much threw it out, gave me a 0 point violation, 30 in a 25.
If that were a camera, there would have been no points as well, but a serious fine in DC, based on the speed. Food for thought. Are people saying it's ok to crack down on illegal behavior, as long as it's not profit-based? At some point, imho, greater good has to kick-in.
RLC cams pluses and minuses
I overall think the red light cameras are a good thing and get a kind of perverse satisfaction when I hear a car gunning the engine to run a light, and see the flashes set off. Drivers that rush intersections and run red lights are dangerously focused on their intention to get through the intersection, and have no regard for pedestrians, or other drivers. It's amazing how late some people will run the light.
On the other hand, the warnings are nice. Locally we have some intersections with a dedicated right turn lane with curbs and an island. Some of those allow right on red after a stop, and some prohibit right on red. The RLC alerts do encourage a full stop before turning and being extra vigilant for the NO right on red signs.