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I'm with Mike on this. Red light means STOP. Why is this such a problem to some?
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I agree but....in Maryland we have both red light and speeding cameras. The lights are unsynchronized and very frustrating and the yellow light times have been dramatically reduced. The speeding cameras are placed in positions where the speed limit is obviously too low or in positions where one might overcome a posted limit (at the bottom of a hill, for example). It is so bad the cops have been caught giving fingers to the cameras and their union has negotiated a free pass for them. Further, while they've invested all this money in taking money from the citizenry they've failed to use the same technology to make life better for us. Emergency vehicles have no override to change the lights. The same technology could be used to make the light green or red to improve traffic flow (thereby increasing safety) as well as reduce congestion gas consumption and pollution. That isn't happening.
Further, these devices are operated by contractors who receive a percentage of the proceeds. They are incentivized to issue more, not less, tickets and are using every trick in the book to do so. We've seen cars clocked at 50 who were sitting at red lights. Do you remember if you were really going 36 in a 25 two weeks later? No you don't- you just figure they got you and pay the ticket. You're probably trying to remember where you were and where the camera was. Even if you know you weren't at fault how are you going to prove it?
And we still have due process in this country- who's driving the car? You? Or your sister?
There is no doubt these things exist to take $ from the citizenry. Our states and counties have budgeted for the amount expected to be received and those budgets are increasing. It's a government money grab that contributes little, if anything, to overall traffic safety. Where does the money go? To improving our roads, driver education or safety programs? No. It goes to feed an ever increasing bureacracy.
I agree a red light does mean stop. The trouble is drunken, wreckless or inattentive drivers are not going to be affected by a camera. They won't even see them. And no points will go on their records- as long as they pay they can walk away.