RLCs back on the (Florida) legislative agenda

Isn't Florida populated by retirees, I think the flash scares the ones who do stop, and makes them stamp on the go pedal

Actually Florida is composed of four classes of residents. Blue-Hairs, Youngsters, Snow Birds and Tourists.

the crashes increased is pretty ridiculous. How long have cameras been gone in NJ? Yet, at the intersections where the cameras used to be in operation (they are physically still there), I see people coming to complete stops. I can't say whether they believe the cameras are operating (doubt it), or they simply got into the habit of not running the light at Rt. 1 and Plainfield, etc.

This is an argument that has no reliable nor valid data to support it.

So, if school buses had cameras on their stop arms, crashes would increase as a result, it's just plain unfounded. The technology is already available, just not cheap enough for most school districts. Let's use logic. A traffic signal is 100% predictable. It's a 55 mph road, when the yellow illuminates, there is just over 5 seconds of yellow, before turning red. 30 mph, 3 sec. A school bus? The reds turn on totally at the whim of the driver, there is not a set amount of time the yellow stays illuminated. So people should be crashing or slamming on their brakes or having accidents at virtually each and every bus stop. It isn't the case.

Every major carrier now has dash cams recording 100% of the time forward, and of the driver whenever they pick their nose, not use hands free, turn up the radio too loud, get too close to vehicles on any side, yet these guys still drive and avoid accidents.

Very few teenagers shoplift today (although I know of two who did from their parents). In our days and our grandparents days, let's be honest, there was shoplifting. My grandfather called it the five finger discount. What changed? Technology and enforcement.

Have you seen the methods used to collect and analyze the data they used to come to this conclusion?

The data might demonstrate that conclusion.

Who knows. I sure don't so until someone can get the data and perform independent analysis I'd have to just accept the statement.

Accidents happen when they lower the yellow to the minimal and the intersections are enormous. If they increase the time on yellow you can see less accidents. That can give you time to clear the intersection and even pedestrians can cross safely.

Looks like the bill is dead again, Jim - at least for now:

"The Florida Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday rejected an effort to ban red-light cameras in the state."

http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article131984534.html

Hope it eventually gets done. They should be banned!

I often wonder, how can we get society to respect rules at this point, like in Canada. I'm asking seriously, what has to happen? For example, every day on my commute, there are multiple accidents with dry pavement. Also, at least 50% of cars have the driver holding a phone.

Why, in Ontario, is the number of people holding a phone while driving, around 0%?

It's wonderful to spin our wheels and oppose order. It's fun, it's kidding, and it's deadly.

Thank you for posting this. I will follow the developments with interest

While I appreciate the sentiment, I think you're giving us Canadians a little too much credit. In Alberta (population 4,200,000) there were 27,500 distracted driving convictions in 2015. So our driving habits really aren't that different than our American Cousins.

I think a lot has to do with the absurdity of so many rules. Consider 40 years ago the local Interstate had a speed limit of 70mph. At the time it was considered reasonable and mostly obeyed. Now with better roads and far better cars the limit is 60 or 65. Of course the average speed is now 75 or more. Pretty much all the low limit does is highlight the foolishness of the limit. The same kind of logical disconnect occurs in many government dealings. But once you have trained people to realize many rules are absurd, they begin acting in “rational” ways that often ignore other rules.

I think we all need to feel humble once in a while. Many positions now in society are extreme, and illogical. I've told the story about when I was 19, and got caught for 155 in a 55. At the time, I didn't do anything wrong, and I was invincible. Looking back, I feel differently.

As recently as 7 years ago, I got a 52 in a 25, in my own neighborhood. That's pretty bad, 5 points if convicted, 6 is a suspension. Could have faced over $400 in fines and insurance rates increasing. The officer told me 2X do not plead guilty, appear in court and we'll be lenient. It ended up being disposed of, 30 in a 25, zero points, $118 fine. I didn't feel like I got away with something, I felt humbled and for the next at least 6 mos., I was very conscientious when it came to observing speed limits. I have two cars that are capable of 155 mph in our household, yet when I as you say drive 70 on the highway, I am passed by minivans traveling easily 80-90 mph. One would say even though they can, those vehicles are not designed to drive at those speeds safely.

I'm getting BlackVue front and rear this year, not sure when. Just this AM, I was driving 40 in a 25 on the way to work, and this woman in a Lincoln is on my A**. I would love to have her on my cam in case anything happened. She probably thought this old ***** get the **** out of my way if you're gonna drive only 15 over. lol

ps dunno why the double posts

It's not a joke, I saw zero people talking on the phone while driving, and I was there a week (last week). I brought this up in the office, and the deal where one person steps out on a crosswalk, and 70 cars stop in both directions. I was told it is very annoying, and even worse when someone is crossing texting and emailing and looking down on the ground and crossing slowly.

So Canadians are annoyed at this, but the fact is they stop. We don't stop, as a general rule, except in CA. There's no enforcement. Pedestrians cross major roads at their own risk. I dunno how many hit and run fatalities there are in a month.

I had wondered if there would be any effect of this spinoff on existing or future red light cameras.

Not many people knew it was Xerox (through their acquisition of ACS a few years ago) the sells and operates these cameras. Now that the outsourcing division has been spun off I wonder if they will market this more aggressively.