Red Light Cameras - What's your opinion? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

swedeace · 04-01-2007, 11:46 PM

I have been meaning to post a thread about this for months, but I kept forgetting to bring it up when I am home! Once I am home, I do not think about them.

What prompted me to remember was that I just read a local article about them.

Anyway...Does your city/town/area have red light cameras installed? These are sophisticated cameras installed at intersections that are set to take a picture of speeding vehicles or vehicles that pass a red light. They are quite accurate because they take two pictures (one on each side of the street) with one of the front of the vehicle to show who is driving and another picture of your license plate brightened up. Two weeks later, you get a ticket in the mail along with both pictures. The first offense where I live is $100, $250 for the second time, and $500 for the third or more times. I haven't gotten a ticket because I don't like to speed, but I know people who have already gotten them. A couple of co-workers got one each, and two of my aunts already got two. Yikes!

Here's a picture of a red light camera that was shown on a local news channel website:

To those who have red light cameras in your area, what do you think of them? Do you think they are a good idea? Are they helpful? Why, or why not?

Personally, I think they're a good idea! It does make people slow down. People who purposely pass a red light or even speed can make it quite dangerous. I am all for these cameras.

Courtnee · 04-01-2007, 11:50 PM

We don't have those. I don't run red lights, so I have no problem with them.

Lex Luthor · 04-02-2007, 12:14 AM

We have them here and I completely support their use, if you are going to run a red light then you should get fined or your license suspended.

Max Whittaker · 04-02-2007, 12:19 AM

I like the concept. However, I suspect that in practice, they will simply be a waste of money. It's going to be a pain to keep them all running.

Although runners are a major problem, I don't think cameras will help much.

catlover79 · 04-02-2007, 12:23 AM

Yes, we have them. I think they are a good idea, in case of accidents and so on.

AB · 04-02-2007, 03:37 PM

They've only installed a few of them in our city so far. I don't know of anyone
who has gotten a ticket yet. I'm sure I'll hear all about it if someone I know does get one.

dawsongirl · 04-02-2007, 10:06 PM

They were just deemed illegal or something in a suburb here. It's been a giant controversy for months, a lot because the fines were higher if you got caught by the camera than they were if you got caught by a cop. Plus the town will never get the money back they spent on them.

swedeace · 04-03-2007, 01:15 AM

A local article I was reading yesterday talked about lowering the high fines, but I think they are fine as they are. I am all for anything that's a high incentive to get people to slow down. They don't need to be going that fast and endangering innocent people.

The article mentioned there were already 20 of these red light cameras installed. Yeah, the fees are much higher than a human cop. Most indeed.

theshark8777 · 04-03-2007, 05:33 PM

The only problem is, the person the car is registered to is ticketed not the driver. So technically you could get a ticket for something you weren't driving. They also had speed cameras here, and people that were no where near here were getting tickets mailed to them cause the license plate was read wrong. As far as I know its still innocent until proven guilty... yet with these cameras, its usually the other way around.

dawsongirl · 04-03-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

The only problem is, the person the car is registered to is ticketed not the driver. So technically you could get a ticket for something you weren't driving. They also had speed cameras here, and people that were no where near here were getting tickets mailed to them cause the license plate was read wrong. As far as I know its still innocent until proven guilty... yet with these cameras, its usually the other way around.

That's it...that was the other argument they had about them here.

Janice · 04-04-2007, 12:04 AM

Probably acts as a good deterrent.

Mr. Television · 04-04-2007, 12:13 AM

Don't have them here....don't need them. Cops around here know cars speed. They could care less.

seventies_sitcoms · 04-05-2007, 10:57 PM

My town had them. Until some hotshot lawyer's wife got three tickets within a month, the guy took the city to court and won. They had to take down the cameras and refund every ticket that was issued by the cameras.

catlover79 · 04-06-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventies_sitcoms

My town had them. Until some hotshot lawyer's wife got three tickets within a month, the guy took the city to court and won. They had to take down the cameras and refund every ticket that was issued by the cameras.

Just one more reason not to trust a lawyer.

James · 04-06-2007, 03:06 AM

Dayton (where I live) has some red light cameras at a handful of problematic intersections, but there is only one or two through which I have traveled more than once, on US 35 and/or OH 49/the Trotwood Connector west of town. Fortunately they are very well signed, so you've been warned. (Aside: I used to think those cameras on masts over intersections were red light--or even speed--cameras. Needless to say, I was always on my best behavior driving through those intersections! However, I later learned they are used to monitor intersections to adjust the traffic lights accordingly. One of the news programs here had a story on such cameras in Beavercreek, which currently does not have any red light cameras.) Just for the record I have never been ticketed for running a red light.

Other cities in the area to have red light cameras include Springfield and Middletown.

04-01-2007, 11:46 PM	#1
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	Red Light Cameras - What's your opinion? I have been meaning to post a thread about this for months, but I kept forgetting to bring it up when I am home! Once I am home, I do not think about them. What prompted me to remember was that I just read a local article about them. Anyway...Does your city/town/area have red light cameras installed? These are sophisticated cameras installed at intersections that are set to take a picture of speeding vehicles or vehicles that pass a red light. They are quite accurate because they take two pictures (one on each side of the street) with one of the front of the vehicle to show who is driving and another picture of your license plate brightened up. Two weeks later, you get a ticket in the mail along with both pictures. The first offense where I live is $100, $250 for the second time, and $500 for the third or more times. I haven't gotten a ticket because I don't like to speed, but I know people who have already gotten them. A couple of co-workers got one each, and two of my aunts already got two. Yikes! Here's a picture of a red light camera that was shown on a local news channel website: To those who have red light cameras in your area, what do you think of them? Do you think they are a good idea? Are they helpful? Why, or why not? Personally, I think they're a good idea! It does make people slow down. People who purposely pass a red light or even speed can make it quite dangerous. I am all for these cameras.

04-01-2007, 11:50 PM	#2
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	We don't have those. I don't run red lights, so I have no problem with them.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

04-02-2007, 12:14 AM	#3
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	We have them here and I completely support their use, if you are going to run a red light then you should get fined or your license suspended.
	__________________ I look forward to resuming our verbal judo - Lex Luthor It's a complicated world, Clark. Only the naïve view it in black and white - Lex Luthor Genevieve: "I underestimated you, Lex." Lex: "Well, that’s a common mistake." Lionel Luthor: "We don't need to play games, son." Lex Luthor: "Dad, games are all we got."

04-02-2007, 12:19 AM	#4
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	I like the concept. However, I suspect that in practice, they will simply be a waste of money. It's going to be a pain to keep them all running. Although runners are a major problem, I don't think cameras will help much.
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

04-02-2007, 12:23 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Yes, we have them. I think they are a good idea, in case of accidents and so on.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-02-2007, 03:37 PM	#6
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	They've only installed a few of them in our city so far. I don't know of anyone who has gotten a ticket yet. I'm sure I'll hear all about it if someone I know does get one.

04-02-2007, 10:06 PM	#7
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	They were just deemed illegal or something in a suburb here. It's been a giant controversy for months, a lot because the fines were higher if you got caught by the camera than they were if you got caught by a cop. Plus the town will never get the money back they spent on them.

04-03-2007, 01:15 AM	#8
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	A local article I was reading yesterday talked about lowering the high fines, but I think they are fine as they are. I am all for anything that's a high incentive to get people to slow down. They don't need to be going that fast and endangering innocent people. The article mentioned there were already 20 of these red light cameras installed. Yeah, the fees are much higher than a human cop. Most indeed.

04-03-2007, 05:33 PM	#9
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	The only problem is, the person the car is registered to is ticketed not the driver. So technically you could get a ticket for something you weren't driving. They also had speed cameras here, and people that were no where near here were getting tickets mailed to them cause the license plate was read wrong. As far as I know its still innocent until proven guilty... yet with these cameras, its usually the other way around.
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

04-04-2007, 12:04 AM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Probably acts as a good deterrent.

04-04-2007, 12:13 AM	#12
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Don't have them here....don't need them. Cops around here know cars speed. They could care less.
	__________________ Sonny

04-05-2007, 10:57 PM	#13
seventies_sitcoms * Senior Member Join Date: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 2,244	My town had them. Until some hotshot lawyer's wife got three tickets within a month, the guy took the city to court and won. They had to take down the cameras and refund every ticket that was issued by the cameras.

04-06-2007, 03:06 AM	#15
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Dayton (where I live) has some red light cameras at a handful of problematic intersections, but there is only one or two through which I have traveled more than once, on US 35 and/or OH 49/the Trotwood Connector west of town. Fortunately they are very well signed, so you've been warned. (Aside: I used to think those cameras on masts over intersections were red light--or even speed--cameras. Needless to say, I was always on my best behavior driving through those intersections! However, I later learned they are used to monitor intersections to adjust the traffic lights accordingly. One of the news programs here had a story on such cameras in Beavercreek, which currently does not have any red light cameras.) Just for the record I have never been ticketed for running a red light. Other cities in the area to have red light cameras include Springfield and Middletown.