Lakeland, Fl. OKs 10 More Red-Light Cameras

Time to never go to Lakeland.

Triliby--That is exactly the reason some folks said no to the cameras. They said it discourages people and tourists from visiting here.

I do think that a portion of the revenue should be directed to public safety - in addition to the arts.

But
If one never runs red lights, why should it matter?

There are times when running a red light is virtually impossible particularly if the road engineering and traffic lights are such that there is no left turn arrow and you must sit through an entire light change to make a left, able to go only once it has turned red. Absolutely ridiculous but there are areas where that is still the case. Not sure about Lakeland, FL but in some areas during rush hour a red light turn is virtually inevitable.

The driving instructor for my grandson told him that - if you are in the intersection waiting to turn left when the light turns red - then the proper action is to complete the left turn. Does not help the second in line though if they are also not in the intersection. Will depend on how big the roadway is.

I love to hear my gong sound as I approach those things.

Sorry but working in the automotive industry I avoid at all costs sitting in an intersection! I have missed making a left thru a couple of light cycles as the red runners will not stop.

At least my path doesn't take me on those roads...... but my wife..... oh sweet Jesus!

Granted, for intersections in Illinois, it's the same. The person turning left, can turn left if they are in the intersection when the light turns red. However, left yields to oncoming traffic. Which means, if you turn left in front of someone that comes through the yellow light, or even the red, you are in the wrong.

What really doesn't make sense is, red light cameras are supposed to reduce the T-bone crashes. The most dangerous, scariest maneuver of all. But the whole scenario of turning left as the light cycle is changing, is putting every driver in danger. You've got the people coming through the yellow light, possibly red, and you've got people that now have the green light charging into the intersection (even though they're not supposed to).

And as far as the second driver in line, they should get a ticket. I've seen as many as 3 cars in the intersection. That's not only rude, but dangerous, and most likely illegal.

Years ago, I wouldn't enter the intersection, unless I knew I could make the turn. I got many honks from the people behind me that acted like I had to pull out in the intersection. I felt much more comfortable waiting for the left arrow. Now, I only pull into the intersection when I'm the first car. I never do it when I'm second.

Unfortunately, with red light cameras, unless you enter the intersection after the light turns red, you don't get a ticket. So with all the extra cars in the intersection turning left on red, they get a free pass.

Agreed.

I try to stay out of intersections and also get honks from people who think that blocking traffic is OK if it means that they will to get thru this light rather than the next one.

I would avoid going there, because I have no confidence that they are accurate or set up fairly and I believe most people don't want to have constant monitoring. It's time to ban these things everywhere.

Do you have any confidence that when you get a parking ticket that the criteria for the ticket was "fair"? Why did you not get some "grace" period?

Are parking meters "accurate"? Who certifies them? What if it would not take your money because there was a slug stuck in it? Are you liable?

When you get a parking ticket, can you confront your accuser? What if you were not driving the car, but are the registered owner? Is it constitutional for you to have to pay the ticket?

Parking meters are under constant monitoring - if they want to, whoever "they" are can tell where you have been (does the fact that you were parked close to the adult book store mean anything?)

Parking tickets are almost totally about revenue - why aren't you ranting to your city council about this "tax" on you?

A parking ticket is a piece of paper attached to the vehicle by a person. And it is instant notification because it is there when you return to the car. Evidence is very clear because the red flag is up. That is fair.
Easy to check the accuracy. I always look at my watch when I put in the money.
The car is illegally parked.

Where did you get that idea?

Actually many small towns have eliminated parking meters because it encourages people to shop downtown instead of Walmart.

I should have explained a bit and not made it sound as if there was constant information recorded.

Parking meters in most towns are watched over by persons who constantly pass by the series of meters that make up their territory, looking for violations. Whenever you get a ticket, the location of the violation is noted (and that might be near the adult book store).

Here is an article about removing parking meters and replacing them that could amount to constant information of who parked where.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130109/news/701099806/

Great idea. Thanks for the link

I rarely use parking meters, but I agree that they have problems too. Fortunately, they are much more easily avoided than the camera traps. Perhaps you could start a forum for parking meter reform.

thanks for the info

I believe there is a "free enterprise" need for parking meters. If there had been no parking meters when I was working in my downtown area, I would have been tempted to try to find a meter close to my office. That would likely have been in front of some local store and would have deprived the store of a place for potential customers to park. That might (and I am assuming this) have led to the closure of that store because of lack of customers. That might have reduced the tax base for the city. That might have resulted in an increase in the property tax. That increase might have resulted in people moving away from my city. That might have resulted in an even lower tax base and another need for an increase in the property tax. Well, I am obviously rambling - but the law of unintended consequences is something that we should all think about. Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.

I guess it's time to never to to DC, which btw is the nation's capital? Personally, I don't understand that type of thinking.

You are not supposed to enter the intersection unless you know you can clear it. Entering it when you are unable to clear it is a violation in most states.

It's time to ban the cameras in DC and everywhere else.

Thanks for the warning. This sadly will be a common trend!