Washington state goes to cameras at intersections.

From this AM's Seattle Times:

OLYMPIA - The next time you run a red light could be a Kodak moment. The state Senate voted last night to allow automated traffic cameras to snap pictures so a ticket can be mailed to the registered owner - no police officer needed. The cameras, dubbed "Robo Cop" by opponents, couldn't be used to catch speeders. They can be aimed only at traffic lights and railroad crossings and in construction zones. The cameras could take pictures only of license plates, and no one's face could be shown. The areas where traffic cameras are used also have to be clearly marked. Car owners would not be responsible for paying a ticket if they could show that someone else was driving their car that day.

I'd like to know how these intersections are "clearly marked" and if anyone has ideas about what license plate covers protect you from this sort of Orwellian nightmare please advise. I know we had a thread on this recently.

Jw

They are about to pass similar laws in Minnesota, except car owners would be required to pay the ticket no matter who was driving (just like parking tickets). The offense will not go on your record, and will not get reported to your insurance company, however.

Maybe a little excess smoke out the backend isn't such a bad thing after all. Or maybe a license plate holder with a set of louvered blinders such that you could only read the plate from directly behind the vehicle?

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Bill Krause
'79 911SC Euro

First of all I would encourage you not to run red lights, and become a victim of law enforcement.

Second, if the ticket will be dismissed if you can prove you were not driving, seem to fly in the face of the US Constitution, if you are guilty until proven innocent.

Third, if the picture is taken with a digital camera, it may not be admissible in a court of law, unless the law has recently changed. Digital images can be too easily altered without detection, and have not been admissible. The DA would have no evidence to present a jury of your pears (Porsche owner/operators no doubt).

I believe there is a proper time and place for just about everything, except taking a Porsche through a red light.

Of course I commute into Houston everyday, the capital of red light runners, so I'm a little biased.

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GT911
GordonTaylor@ev1.net
Spring, Texas

Let me be plain: I don't want to avoid a ticket for running a red light as I don't run red lights, period. I also wait when the light goes green for those who DO like to run red lights.

My point, badly made if at all, is that this is just the beginning of this sort of nonsense. It bothers me that folks that can't drive are going to ruin it for everyone else. I've made it plain that, while my son may inherit my cars/bikes, he'll have only the "Oldy-Times" parades to troll these vehicles in.


My worst nightmare? Woody Allens "Sleeper" wherein you have rails and quiet, gentle amorphous tube-railcars that are boring boring boring.

Sorry not to have made my point more clearly.

Jw

There's probably nothing to worry about. They've had those in San Francisco for years. There's a camera mounted to the light that is very easy to see. It's only on select lights in the busiest intersections. You'll quickly learn which intersections have them on your usual routes so you can excercise extra caution. (You should always look both ways before crossing an intersection, even if the light is bright bright green...Ask me how I know, and remember, [if California law is the same] the picture has to catch you less than 75% or is it 50%? of the way through the intersection when the light turns red in order to give you a ticket. So you need to learn how long the yellow lights are. In San Fran, they are extremely long. Here in Santa Cruz they seem extremely short usually [if the light is even working!])

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Zach
77 911S 3.2

Here in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada we have had the red light cameras in operation for about 2 years. They seem to be springing up like mushrooms. Our current Government also geared up big time with road-side photo radar rigs. It's anybodys guess if any of this is reducing traffic accidents and fatalities. But one thing is certain....it is generating a lot of revenue for the Government coffers. In other words, it's just another parasitic tax on motorists.




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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
http://members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm