Here it comes...

[TPD]

Here it comes...Red Light Cameras

We were warned about this a month or 2 ago by a fellow forumite -
SoMdNews.com: Red-light cameras considered along Route 235

But Cameron said he’s pursuing the cameras to reduce accidents
 and not to make money through traffic tickets. 
“It can’t be about money. I’m interested in public safety,” he said.

That is . Every red light camera installed is about the money! In my travels this morning, I did an informal survey. It seems that most of the lights along the 235 LP to California stretch only have a 3 second yellow light. Hollywood to Charlotte Hall lights have a 5 second yellow light. Leonardtown, Callaway, GM lights all seem to have about 5 seconds as well. I believe someone talked about this a while back. If this is the case, I believe SHA first needs to get all yellow lights timed the same at 5 seconds. Come back to us in a year and then let us know what the accident rate is. At 3 seconds and 45 miles per hour, you are either being rear-ended from jamming the brakes to stop, or your picture is going to be taken for running a red light and you will be charged $75.

Can some others out there do some informal counts on yellow lights for us?? one one thousand, two one thousand......

 

[BadGirl]

We were warned about this a month or 2 ago by a fellow forumite -
SoMdNews.com: Red-light cameras considered along Route 235

But Cameron said he’s pursuing the cameras to reduce accidents
 and not to make money through traffic tickets. 
“It can’t be about money. I’m interested in public safety,” he said.

That is . Every red light camera installed is about the money! In my travels this morning, I did an informal survey. It seems that most of the lights along the 235 LP to California stretch only have a 3 second yellow light. Hollywood to Charlotte Hall lights have a 5 second yellow light. Leonardtown, Callaway, GM lights all seem to have about 5 seconds as well. I believe someone talked about this a while back. If this is the case, I believe SHA first needs to get all yellow lights timed the same at 5 seconds. Come back to us in a year and then let us know what the accident rate is. At 3 seconds and 45 miles per hour, you are either being rear-ended from jamming the brakes to stop, or your picture is going to be taken for running a red light and you will be charged $75.

Can some others out there do some informal counts on yellow lights for us?? one one thousand, two one thousand......

So what if it's about making money?

If you're not speeding or running red lights, it's a non-issue to you, right?

 

[TPD]

So what if it's about making money?

If you're not speeding or running red lights, it's a non-issue to you, right?

Agreed - it is not an issue, but don't lie to me to get me to accept it by saying it is for safety. Tell me it is for the money and it will lower my taxes! Just be honest about it...

 

[GWguy]

So what if it's about making money?

If you're not speeding or running red lights, it's a non-issue to you, right?

But he's right about the short yellow lights. If you are doing the speed limit and enter the intersection just as the light turns yellow, it could turn red before you exit, and you'd get a ticket, even if you were doing the right thing. It affects us all.

 

[libertytyranny]

My concern with red light cameras is people being afraid of a ticket, thus slamming on their brakes in order to stop even when it isn't safe to do so..sometimes it is safer to continue on than slam the brakes..I wouldn't want someone afraid of a ticket to let that erase their common sense

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

But he's right about the short yellow lights. If you are doing the speed limit and enter the intersection just as the light turns yellow, it could turn red before you exit, and you'd get a ticket, even if you were doing the right thing. It affects us all.

Let it go, pay the fine, and the money goes in some kitty somewhere; or in some "administrators' pocket(s).

Take it to court, pay a lawyer, etc. etc. and the money still goes in the same kitty.
So, it becomes a matter of the lesser of two evils, doesn't it?

 

[libertytyranny]

But he's right about the short yellow lights. If you are doing the speed limit and enter the intersection just as the light turns yellow, it could turn red before you exit, and you'd get a ticket, even if you were doing the right thing. It affects us all.

I was under the impression that the camera's don't "turn on" until a half a second or something after the light is fully red? There have been times when I have gone through a late yellow because of traffic following too close behind me, or a large truck in heavy traffic obscured the light, etc.

 

[TPD]

And another question, will a red light camera be able to read tag numbers of those southbound folks making a left turn onto the base who block the intersection, or are the cameras only for straight through the intersection cars?

Will cameras be installed in all four directions at an intersection or just north and south 235?

My belief will be this will not be studied long enough. It will be like a snowball rolling down hill and we will have these things installed before we can get through that 3 second yellow...

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

My concern with red light cameras is people being afraid of a ticket, thus slamming on their brakes in order to stop even when it isn't safe to do so..sometimes it is safer to continue on than slam the brakes..I wouldn't want someone afraid of a ticket to let that erase their common sense

How much you wanna bet that that is likely to happen?
Years back, I "backpedaled" (sp?) through the intersection at San Souci in a pickup without ABS in a snowstorm.
I hit the brakes and the back end started coming around; so I feathered the gas and "dirt tracked it" through a red light. :shrug:

 

[smibarines]

My concern with red light cameras is people being afraid of a ticket, thus slamming on their brakes in order to stop even when it isn't safe to do so..sometimes it is safer to continue on than slam the brakes..I wouldn't want someone afraid of a ticket to let that erase their common sense

Here's a tip: don't follow so close that you can't avoid a collision. What if it were a deer that made them slam on their brakes? Would that be any different?

 

[Railroad]

Quite a few years back, I was driving home from work and was turning left, after the green arrow had lit up, at the intersection of 245 and 235. (245 is Hollywood-Leonardtown Road). I began my turn from a stop at the light and was struck at 55 mph+ by someone who ran the light. I was in a drainage ditch in a split second with my face in the steering wheel of my 1963 Chevy Impala. Turns out the lady who hit me in her newer jello-bodied Chevy was on her cell phone and never saw the light. There was nothing left of her car from the windshield forward.

Awareness is heightened when one considers being on camera when approaching a light.

I don't like invasive enforcement, but I can sure see, from personal experience, how any measure might help.

Weather conditions are the most fundamental of things observed in court. There really is an attempt to consider the situation. Do a good job of explaining things without turning it into a lengthy presentation; cops will likely concur.

 

[RoseRed]

Let it go, pay the fine, and the money goes in some kitty somewhere; or in some "administrators' pocket(s).

Take it to court, pay a lawyer, etc. etc. and the money still goes in the same kitty.
So, it becomes a matter of the lesser of two evils, doesn't it?

Are there any points?

 

[libertytyranny]

Here's a tip: don't follow so close that you can't avoid a collision. What if it were a deer that made them slam on their brakes? Would that be any different?

It is actually more common, for me anyway, to be the one with someone on my tail end..I myself may be more nervous about braking vs running a late yellow.. but you are right of course..but rush hour is a delicate balance of leaving safe space, but not leaving so much that someone will come up and cut you off causing you to slam your breaks and have the person behind you hit you...not to mention that rush hour the speed changes dramtically between lights..from near the speed limit to very slow and there are a lot of lights up 235 ..by the time traffic gets up to speed, you hit a red and everyone slows down, then you hit three greens in a row and everyone gets up to speed, and BOOM red light..driving isn't always so cut and dry, im afraid because you not only have to account for yourself, but you have to guess what the myriad of idiots around you are going to do

 

[Railroad]

Are there any points?

Yes, depending where you are.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Are there any points?

To my post? Well.....kinda.

 

[TPD]

Here is the first article I have found - Do Red Light Cameras Reduce Accidents?

Basically, t-bones are reduced, rear-ends are increased, though the Post did a study of DC cameras that showed a 30% increase n t-bones...

So, again, don't tell me it is for safety reasons! Tell me the truth...it's about the money...

 

[TPD]

Another article - D.C. Red-Light Cameras Fail to Reduce Accidents

The District's red-light cameras have generated more than 500,000
 violations and $32 million in fines over the past six years.

the number of accidents has gone up at intersections with the cameras.
The increase is the same or worse than at traffic signals without the devices.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Another article -

the number of accidents has gone up at intersections with the cameras.
The increase is the same or worse than at traffic signals without the devices.

SEE???

 

[BernieP]

So what if it's about making money?

If you're not speeding or running red lights, it's a non-issue to you, right?

Gaming the system - shorter then normal yellows and speed limits that are to low. It's been documented that not only is this done, but governments sign contracts that lock them in to setting times / speed limits that the camera operators want.

From beginning to end it's about money, not safety. Safety is putting a patrol car there and writing a few tickets if it's that much of a problem. I see dozens of cars come off Chancellor Run Rd - heading north on 235 - that are turning on the Rt 235 green. Every light, every night but not one car there with even the threat of ticket - oh and no accidents to speak of.
Corporations are in it for the profit and they sell the local governent on how much money they'll make as well. The government then turns around and tells the citizens it's all about safety - B fning S.

We'll see how many people get tagged running a red light that was turning yellow when they hit the line. Bang Bang Snap Kaching

 

[TPD]

Gaming the system - shorter then normal yellows and speed limits that are to low. It's been documented that not only is this done, but governments sign contracts that lock them in to setting times / speed limits that the camera operators want.

From beginning to end it's about money, not safety. Safety is putting a patrol car there and writing a few tickets if it's that much of a problem. I see dozens of cars come off Chancellor Run Rd - heading north on 235 - that are turning on the Rt 235 green. Every light, every night but not one car there with even the threat of ticket - oh and no accidents to speak of.
Corporations are in it for the profit and they sell the local governent on how much money they'll make as well. The government then turns around and tells the citizens it's all about safety - B fning S.

We'll see how many people get tagged running a red light that was turning yellow when they hit the line. Bang Bang Snap Kaching

Well said!!