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Hillsborough Commission Approves Red-Light Cameras
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Published: March 7, 2008
Updated: 03/06/2008 11:45 pm
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Sometime this year, 10 Hillsborough County intersections will get red-light cameras that supporters say save lives and detractors claim cause more -- not fewer -- accidents.
County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to let the sheriff's office negotiate with a company that will install and operate the cameras, which photograph vehicles going through a red light. Citations costing $125 are then mailed to the violator, who can appeal them in court. The citations are civil violations and do not add points to a driver's record.
The intersections, which haven't been determined, will be chosen based on the frequency of red-light offenders.
Several commissioners, responding to complaints from the public, wanted assurances from the sheriff's office that the lights are being sought to enhance public safety and not as a money-making measure.
"You want us to approve this as a way to save lives?" Commissioner Brian Blair asked.
"That's exactly what this is for," replied sheriff's Col. Greg Brown.
Only two residents spoke against the measure. Charles Smalling, a cab driver, said the cameras are a way "to extract money out of Florida residents."
"The profit for the county will be enormous," Smalling said.
Commissioner Rose Ferlita said she had the same concerns. She asked Brown to seek a company that would work for a flat fee rather than for a percentage of the citations.
Steven Burden, an engineer, said rear-end collisions will increase at intersections with cameras.
Rear-end collisions do increase for a few months, agreed Michael McCarthy, county Traffic Division director. However, rear-end collisions are less severe than right-angle collisions that occur when someone runs a red light.
McCarthy said studies show the cameras reduce the number of red-light violations 25 percent to 45 percent.
Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303 or msalinero@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( jvann ) on March 7, 2008 at 12:33 a.m.
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Posted by ( bradgeremt ) on March 7, 2008 at 2:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
its about time something has to be done to stop people from running red lights. and if someone gets rearended that just means they werent paying attention to the road in the first place!
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Posted by ( wpv123 ) on March 7, 2008 at 4:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
one more step to big brother watching everything we do. The same people who support this will be the first to volunteer their children to be implanted with RFID chips.
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Posted by ( CrazyIvan ) on March 7, 2008 at 5:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No, Brad --- if someone gets rear ended, it means the person behind them wasn't paying attention..... Personally, what I'd like to see would be better enforcement of following distance rules. Lack of following distance is the singularly biggest cause of accidents --- and the least cited in the absence of an accident....
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Posted by ( Doug ) on March 7, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No need to worry about "big brother" unless you have something to hide...
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Posted by ( Bamph ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
All you have to do if you get one of these tickets is plead not guilty and send it in. The witness 'being a camera' cannot show up to testify against you and the case is dissmissed. Doug you are pathetic.
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Posted by ( Mischeif ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Amendment 1 working at it's finest. Just another way of bilking the working people out of millions. First garbage and water rates rise. So there goes any money one would have saved.
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Posted by ( allyally ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I wonder if this would ticket the people that go into the middle of the intersection waiting to make a left turn but the light turns red and they have to "cut" in front of the traffic that has the new green light.
If thats the case, every light on Dale Mabry needs a camera!
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Posted by ( Bonsai ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No - Doug is not pathetic. You people spouting off about big brother are the pathetic ones here. Drive responsibly and obey the law and there is no problem here. These cameras are for OUR protection. There's not enough law enforcement in the state to sit at each intersection in Hillsborough (and/or Pinellas) County to babysit you yuppie SUV and Beemer drivers who think the world is your little race track and the rules don't apply to you. It's people like you Bamph and Jvann and wpv123 and you too Mischeif who make it dangerous for the rest of us to use the roads. I can only hope they don't stop at 10.
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Posted by ( Doug ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
bamph - I don't get your point.
They use the photographic evidence against you. As stated in a St. Pete Times article; "And like any citation, these tickets can be contested in traffic court. Drivers who don't believe they broke the law can go online and watch a 12-second video of the violation".
I believe you can appeal based on it not being you driving the car (you loaned it to a friend), but otherwise, based on the photographic evidence showing the red light was run, you're busted.
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Posted by ( Justiceman ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mr. Smalling says this all about HUGE profits, Do people ever think before they speak? In this dimwits case I would say no. If I were a Commissioner I would have asked sir charlie "What makes you think there will be HUGE profits? Are there that many people RUNNING red lights?" I would have loved to have seen the Cab driver's face when I asked that because I would then follow it with "Looks like with your statement we definetly need red light cameras, thousands of people must be running them daily!" Charlie would just looked like a dear in the headlights. What a stupid thing to say, HUGE profits? Then yes there is a problem and the answer is to NOT run the red light, sounds simple enough for me. If you don't run the red light they will not make ANY money...NONE!!! What part of this do people not understand? I know the same idiots who speed over the speed LIMIT daily. Guess what, some places have cameras to stop that also, I can't wait until cameras are everywhere and you IDIOT drivers have to follow the LAW, wow, to actually follow a law, man that hurts huh! lmao
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Posted by ( PewterPirate55 ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Bamph,
I dont think you fully comprehend this measure. There is no day in court on this. This is not filed in traffic court. It is filed as a civil infratcion. Meaning it is filed in Civil Court. Meaning you have to retain an attorney to fight it civilly for you. Meaning at least $1500.00 retainer fee to fight a $180.00 ticket. This is plain and smiple a money grab by the Hillsborough County Commisioners. I hope they are satisfied looks like I will be getting clear reflective coating for my license plate. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
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Posted by ( JackNelsonSteward ) on March 7, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
If drivers maintain correct following distances, there will be no rear end collisions. If the yellow lights are extended an additional second, there shouldn't be a problem.
ally ... When you are making a left turn you are permitted to enter the intersection. Pull into the intersection to a place where you can see oncoming traffic and be ready to make your turn. Even the next car can pull into the intersection. If there is no safe opportunity to make your turn, you and the car behind you can do so when the signal turns and the intersection clears.
That pretty green light dangling there in front of you doesn't give you blanket permission to charge into the intersection. The instruction is,"You may proceed when the intersection is clear."
I wonder if cameras will ticket idiots that pull into the intersection and stop in front of cross traffic. Then the lights turn and the intersection is blocked. That pretty green light gives you permission to CROSS the intersection. To do that, there has to be a place for your steed on the other side. If there isn't, stay behind the line and wait. When there's a place to put your charger, pull across. That way if the light changes you won't end up sitting in the middle of the intersection like a chunk of mutton.
If they ticket cars caught blocking when the intersection when the light turns they'll make a bundle!
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Posted by ( mcmurphy7 ) on March 7, 2008 at 7:15 a.m.
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Posted by ( ron ) on March 7, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
With money getting tight, here is another way to generate more money. 300,000 tickets in Hillsborough County is not enough. Make no mistake, this is about collecting more money.
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Posted by ( mmkk ) on March 7, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yep, it's all about safety.
Has anyone seen the contracts the city/county has with the PRIVATE, FOR PROFIT company that operates the lights? Want to bet that the contract guarantees a minimum revenue for the operating company? Want to bet that when the intersection fail to generate the necessary level of revenue, the county will begin tinkering with the intersection to ensure more tickets are generated? Let's see, we need to write more tickets. Well, let's shorten the yellow light time, then more people will be running the light.
When FOR PROFIT companies team with government, you can be sure it is the tax payer who will be getting the shaft. Of course, I am sure the FOR PROFIT company that operates the camera was founded by people who just want to make our streets safer. Folks, these companies prey on people's fears. They sell it as safety. All they want is your money. You guy's buy it hook, line, & sinker.
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Posted by ( runner2008 ) on March 7, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This has been in place in my home state for the last few years. Accidents and deaths have decreased significantly. The only one who needs to worry about this is the one who runs the red lights on purpose and thinks they are invinceable. No, I won't be letting my children or any animals get any chip implanted into them.
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Posted by ( unlokit ) on March 7, 2008 at 7:55 a.m.
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Posted by ( newsie1 ) on March 7, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Slow down Tampa, is just that simple. Personally I am sick and tired having to watch every Tom, Dick and Harry on the road to make sure I am safe while driving. When you see advertisements on bus stop benchs about red light light runners, thats a sad situation. I agree with Justiceman and Bonsai.
I hope every intersection in Tampa receives a camera, Im not willing to die because someone is late to work, or better yet going to the next bar for a cocktail, but that is a whole different story.
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Posted by ( cjp200 ) on March 7, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
If this is all about making money then don't contribute to the pot...DON'T RUN THROUGH A RED LIGHT!!!
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Posted by ( Sharona ) on March 7, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The county will only "extort money" from the public if the public insists on running red lights. Duh. I think these cameras should be at way more than 10 more intersections. I've seen Sheriff's deputies marked cars running red lights, in the flow of the 4-5 cars that always go once the light has turned red. Sickening. You have to look both ways when you get the green light just to be sure you don't get hit by some yahoo who doesn't feel like they have to play by the rules.
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Posted by ( robertj1954 ) on March 7, 2008 at 8:08 a.m.
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Posted by ( ad ) on March 7, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
OK, we are going to get the cameras. The next time you are driving, see if the light you are used to doesn't seem to have had the time between the green and the yellow and the yellow to red changed. Water's and Mabry seems to be different, it's quicker. I think there should be a standard time interval and there sure isn't.
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Posted by ( ron ) on March 7, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
PewterPirate55 wrote in part>
I dont think you fully comprehend this measure. There is no day in court on this. This is not filed in traffic court. It is filed as a civil infratcion. Meaning it is filed in Civil Court. Meaning you have to retain an attorney to fight it civilly for you. Meaning at least $1500.00 retainer fee to fight a $180.00 ticket. This is plain and smiple a money grab by the Hillsborough County Commisioners. I hope they are satisfied looks like I will be getting clear reflective coating for my license plate. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Response>
You are way out of line on the attorneys fees. Attorney fees for traffic infraction are between $150-$250. If you do not believe that go lookup traffic attorneys in the yellow pages and ask.
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Posted by ( chipshot ) on March 7, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good points, Bonsai. Red light running is out of control. If not aggressively addressed, it will only get worse. And if you rearend someone, it is your fault. Whether the driver in front of you slams brakes for a child, animal, or red light, you have to be able to stop in time.
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Posted by ( themanwhocan ) on March 7, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'd rather the camera's weren't there and that they'd just dedicate sheriff's to those intersections so the violators get the three points on their licenses too! Also, the police need to start ticketing the people who hold up traffic to give money to a homeless person on the side of the road. I see it all the time where I live. Somebody will stop to give the homeless person money while the light is green. They have to wait for the homeless guy to walk up to the vehicle to take the money. By the time the money is exchanged, the light turns yellow and you'll see 5-6 vehicles run the light. In my opinion, the person who held up traffic for this should receive all 5-6 of those citations. It's a big problem where I live...
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Posted by ( Marcus65 ) on March 7, 2008 at 8:40 a.m.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
How many times in Hillsborough County a day does your light turn green and you wait because, at every light in this county, 3 or 4 cars go through on red? It's about time that the county does something to protect it's citizens. And, it'll only generate money if you idiots that complain the most keep running red lights. How many more people have to die before you nimrods see it's a REAL problem?
"Big Brother"? You people are clowns....
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"The profit for the county will be enormous," to say the least, I bet 100 to 1 they are spending the windfall right now. First ticket quotas (shhh we are not to know about that) now this. It's all about the money.
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Posted by ( seagoat_62 ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
If the Hills County is supposedly going to make huge money on the cameras, do ya think then they will NOT raise our property taxes again? I doubt it.
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Posted by ( cshultz110 ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Okay folks,
Seriously, you are completely missing the point. DRIVE SAFER AND FOLLOW THE LAWS!!! As usual, we as a society are deflecting the fault. Maybe the for profit company IS trying to make a buck - don't be stupid and drive lawlessly and they will NOT make money (actually they will due to the contract but the government will have to fit the bill). So far I have seen the following excuses: Its the lights fault, its the police fault (for either not writing enough tickets or just looking to line their pockets), its the other drivers fault (I had somewhere to be and I am more important), and my personal favorite - The government just wants to make money (therefore, I will ablidge by continuing to run red lights and generally being a lawless moron).
Everyday I watch these blogs and it would seem that you want NO laws or enforcement of those laws UNTIL someone breaks a law that effects YOU!!! What a selfish place we live in. This is simple. Don't break the law and you will not have to pay negative consiquences. I am a teacher and I know that students have a difficult time understanding that there are positive and/or NEGATIVE consequences for their actions. Watching the adults, I can now understand why. Just remember - If you are not a part of the solution, you ARE a part of the problem!
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Posted by ( cshultz110 ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
DarthRandell - Love your comments. You are the MAN!!!
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Posted by ( dobefan ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The people spouting off in here about big brother are most likely the red light runners that we see everyday. Its a shame that these people have no regard for human life or property. They are so involved with themselves that it is pitiful. They palce themselves above everyone else and the law. Just last night, two cars ran red lights in front of me on my twenty minute ride home. Laws were made to keep order in society, not to generate revenue as some seem to think. If you choose to remain color blind, it will catch up to you sooner or later. Pray that it is a citation you receive and not a gravestone for your carelessness.
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Posted by ( anymouse ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
money money money money! money!
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"The profit for the county will be enormous," Hey, moneyman - that quote came from cab driver, not one of the commisioners or the Sheriff's Dept. I'm sure this cabbie has all of the residents of Hillsborough County's safety on his mind.
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Posted by ( 91stormvet ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
They worked in Germany, I received my ticket in the mail with my photo behind the wheel and my tag. kudos to Hills County. Just so I know, what intersections will these be placed. LOL
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Posted by ( 91stormvet ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Beware the crap house lawyers who say you can beat the rap. The Photo will not lie. It is not the camera that makes you look fat, it's the fat! Same with running red lights. Its the red light runner that looks guilty not the camera making you look guilty. About time!
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yep I got one from Ga. Photo showed Florida plate, same make of car. Only problem I have never been in Ga in my life, NOR HAS MY CAR. "Only a fool beleives something is fool proof."
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Posted by ( 91stormvet ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
PewterPirate55
I hope that cat getting skinned is not you because you thought you were the most important person on the road. May that dump truck hauling down the road not find you running a red light that day. Talk about skinning a cat? Tag em and bag em.
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yep they work great. I got one from Ga. The photo showed a Florida plate, same make of car. Only problem is I have never been to Ga. NORE HAS MY CAR. "Only a fool believes something is fool proof."
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Posted by ( 91stormvet ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
dobefan
Did you light up the red light runners or ignore them and go about your way?
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 7, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
moneyman - You actually read this article, right? And, after reading it, you use a quote about how this sytem is going to make tons of money for the county from a cab driver, right? What makes us think you, or anyone else, will read an on-line course and actually use that information to make themselves a better driver? Read, comprehend, AND use the information given? I don't think so....... "Idiot" - very fitting if you ask me.
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Posted by ( thelady ) on March 7, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm from South Florida, and on my last trip home my dad warned me about the new camera system they implemented. It definitely had me stopping/slowing to a stop at EVERY yellow instead of gunning through it like I usually do. I think it'll help, especially those if you don't have money to waste on tickets.
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Posted by ( thelady ) on March 7, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
cshultz110>>>aren't you supposed to be TEACHING right about NOW???? what are your students doing?
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Posted by ( cshultz110 ) on March 7, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
thelady - We are under renovations and because of the rain and wet conditions, PE uses my room (I teach music) so we share time with the students 60 students to 3 teachers. It was not my time with the students.
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Posted by ( DennyPCrane ) on March 7, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Folks you should all start having some knowledge about the topic at hand. I have read other posters on another site and they are talking about going out and buying license plate blockers. I say if you are going to do that you are telling us that you are doing this because you INTEND to run red lights and put all of us in danger. This is sick. If you are going to rob a bank do you drive around in a ski mask so you won't be seen when you rob the bank? It is about time that these violators are cracked down on. And as far as the person who received a citation from GA which showed his car with his tag, you are making this story up. Good luck getting the intelligent people to buy it. And as far as red light violations and most traffic violations, they are all civil infractions. The more serious become criminal. Learn your laws before you comment on them and make yourselves look not too intelligent.
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Posted by ( mishymale ) on March 7, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
i would like to be able to hand out tickets to red light runners,most would go to the police officers who run them or use their flashing lights to go through them, i see this alot at the intersection of columbus and 50th street, and im suppose to respect law enforcement,
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Posted by ( stand4something ) on March 7, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
instead of these cameras we re educate existing drivers the traffic laws and re take test every 10 years! Reason for this is to stop spending money like this for no reason.
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Posted by ( cshultz110 ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
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Posted by ( freedomdog63 ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well first off I don't think I'm a pathetic idiot dimwit nimord because I don't want red light camera's at intersections nor do I make a habit out of running red lights. I just don't like any attempts by government to have their hands every aspect of our lives. There are existing laws to deal with the problem that are not being enforced. For $100,000 per intersection we could afford to have the County Commisoners sit at the intersections 24/7 to write tickets. I drive the county every day for work and I see law enforcement officers doing a lot of driving. Maybe they could take a 1/2 hour a day to sit at an intersection and enforce the law or is that asking too much?
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Posted by ( dobefan ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
stormvet...I always light em up as long as I am not endangering others by doing so. I have seen the bad results of those red light runners. I would rather write a citation than write an accident report.
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Posted by ( MF26 ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The only persons impacted are inconsiderate fools who disregard the public safety. If you don't want to pay the fine, just park your car and walk. If you want to run the red lights on foot, I'll try to stop, but remember
it is green on my side and I have my seat belt on. As soon as the population is reduced to competent drivers, we will all have an easier commute. Problem solved.
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
from Ga. The photo showed a Florida plate, same make of car. The number was not clear on the photo. And Darth, name calling shows what a small minded person you must be. I'll match my masters degree agenst yours any day.
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Posted by ( pokethefire ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
We either pay and live with cameras (because people can't obey the laws) or we pay a whole lot more to get more officers.
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well said freedomdog! Also as for (covers over the plates) an other methods to conceal. It is a well documented fact none of these work. Just as it is documented that the cameras, contrary to what Darth sees on TV, are not always clear and the picture can only be enlarged and cleaned up a little. As Ben Franklin said once you let freedoms and liberties slip away it is hard to bring them back, nor stop the tide. Lets face it as I stated before the truth is this is all about bringing in money, not safety.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"agenst"? Oh, moneyman - Where ever did you get your Master's Degree - Sylvan?
I am not as small minded a person as someone who thinks that the general public give's a rats-*** about rules and regulations. If you really think that making people take a test every time they have to re-new they're license is going to help this problem, you're extremely naive.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yeah, you tell 'em freedomdog63! You tell all of 'em what a good idea it is to "have the County Commissioners sit at the intersections 24/7 to write tickets." You tell 'em!
Buddy, I wouldn't let our county let them sit and hand out traffic tickets. Jebus!
Why does ANYONE think this is some kind of infringement on your rights? Don't run red lights and you won't even have to worry about this.
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
read this..The Truth About Red Light Cameras
by House Majority Leader Dick Armey
July 20, 2001
Over 50 cities across the country now use cameras at intersections to catch "red light runners." Even more communities are laying the groundwork to install these devices on their streets in the near future.
It makes you wonder why the devices seem to be so attractive. If you listen to local politicians, you'll hear of the significant safety benefit provided to the community, and you'll hear indignation at any suggestion that profit is their true motive.
Newly uncovered documents from red light camera programs in California and Arizona suggest otherwise. The camera lobby has been hiding the truth about how intersections are being left deliberately mistimed-a dangerous condition-for the sake of profit.
And the public is being deceived.
Two attorneys representing 290 motorists in San Diego, California have taken on this system-and won. Arthur F. Tait and Coleen Cusak forced the city to pull the plug on all nineteen red light cameras after they uncovered evidence that the camera hardware was being manipulated to entrap motorists.
Safety was never the primary consideration. In fact, none of the devices were placed at any of San Diego's top-ten most dangerous intersections. Instead, the documents tell us how the camera operators consciously sought out mistimed intersections as locations for new red light cameras.
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yellow signal time at intersections turns out to be directly related to "red light running." Simply put, when the yellow light is short, more people enter on red. Inadequate yellow time causes a condition where individuals approaching an intersection are unable either to come to a safe stop or proceed safely before the light turns red.
Though dangerous, this condition also turns out to be very profitable. Each time someone ends up in an intersection on red in San Diego, the city collects $271. And $70 of that fine is paid as bounty to the city's private contractor. Combine hefty fines with mistimed signals and you've found the formula for big money. A single camera brought the city $6.8 million in just 18 months.
My office has produced a report that suggests several cities nationwide purposely ignored proven engineering solutions to intersection accidents in favor of this big money formula. The newly released documents show exactly how this could happen.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 7, 2008 at 12:05 p.m.
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Posted by ( Bonsai ) on March 7, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Dick Army was a bush republican. Who cares what he said in 2001.
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Posted by ( moneyman ) on March 7, 2008 at 12:27 p.m.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 7, 2008 at 12:43 p.m.
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Posted by ( slopeboy40 ) on March 7, 2008 at 2:40 p.m.
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Posted by ( Oops ) on March 7, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The alternative is to hire (and pay) a sheriff's deputy to stand at every red light in the county to ticket the selfish, careless, inconsiderate safety hazards who run the red lights. Bring 'em on, the sooner the better!
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Posted by ( NotSure ) on March 7, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/columns/c_d_staff/patrick_bedard/robot_revenuing_shots_were_fired_column
Read this article if you want the facts. And by the way, I am a former County Engineering Project Manager and a licensed engineer. This whole thing is a crock. The only engineer to speak stated the facts and was ignored. Mike McCarthy is a career toady who would never say no the Commission, no matter how harebrained the scheme.
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Posted by ( Suze ) on March 7, 2008 at 11:15 p.m.
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Posted by ( wpv123 ) on March 8, 2008 at 5:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Safety... ohhh the freedom we have lost in the name of safety.
Ben Franklin said “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
this is still true today...
wait for all who support this idea, lets also install cameras in everyones homes that are monitored by the police 24/7. Think of all the crime this could prevent. This could help end domestic violence, child abuse, and even terrorism. And if you don;t have anything to hide, then you should have nothing to worry about right?
God people... wake up. This is how it starts. Cameras on every corner in the name of “safety.”
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