Traffic Light Cameras
By carolbee
@carolbee (16230)
United States
June 3, 2008 10:28am CST
Over the past few months several municipalities have installed traffic light cameras above the standard stop lights in our city. They are now functioning and will not allow a driver to start through a yellow light without getting a ticket in the mail. It's my understanding these tickets run around $100.00 each. The ticket, along with the money, can be mailed directly to the municipality where the offense took place. I really wonder if taking a picture of your license plate, sending a ticket in the mail, not being able to fight the offense, will really control traffic accidents from happening. Do you have these cameras in your area?
3 people like this
9 responses
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Not only do we have those but we also have cars equipped with some form of technology that can run our plates and bring up info on the computer in their car telling the driver (law official) about any outstanding tickets, and any trouble that driver has been in. Including any accidents and everything. So, at that point, I think they can pull you over but, I don't know. It's almost like spying on you. And, it collects data so quickly that, anyone and everyone they are behind can potentially be in trouble. LOL! Nice!
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I know that anytime a police officer is behind a driver, they can run their plate right there in the car. If there is a warrant out for the driver's arrest, he will be pulled over. Not easy keeping our lives private....lol Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Yea! This new technology isn't out everywhere yet and, it makes matters scarier for us drivers because it can scan every single car in front of and around it. I don't recall how it works but, if something pops up from one of the cars in front of it, it will alert the officer driving the car and, while you may not have been doing something wrong, they can pull you over to discuss your outstanding ticket or whatever. At least, that is what I gathered from it. I saw it a couple of months ago on the news and it freaked me out. I don't have anything outstanding but, I do have a past record of accidents and a speeding ticket...which was years ago and paid but, if they see it and I happen to be speeding even just a few MPH's, they can stop me based on my past and what they can pull up from this new technology. Never mind that the person that just zoomed past me was going way faster than me. They were never busted so, they get a free pass because their record doesn't pop up an alert! Sucks!
@chezfrugal (84)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Wow that's scary stuff. I have been pulled over once and my heart was lodged in my throat even though i'd done nothing wrong. I'd just left my auto dealer because the car was in for service and they forgot to turn the tail lights back on (valet feature). The ticket was erased but I still felt jittery!
1 person likes this
@aero89 (422)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Yes, we have these cameras everywhere - and it disgusts me to no end. Seems to me that it is 'regulated entrapment' and also that WE THE CITIZENS pay for it!!
They could be building better roads, funding local organizations, adding to the parks, etc - but no. No No No, they have to have these cameras all over the place so they can feel all powerful and almighty. No matter what they tell you - it's not for your own safety. It's so that you know "they are watching me, I better be -good-"
Didn't George Orwell introduce us to this idea - and yes, it scares me sometimes.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
3 Jun 08
I know several cops and I am not bashing them about not doing their jobs but this seems to be a partial replacement. I think when insurance companies are fed up with all the accidents caused by these cameras, they might be removed. I hate the thought of being watched as I enter an intersection and that a camera would make me or break me! I agree about using the extra revenue to do something else with such as repair pot holes. I have no clue where this extra revenue is going except maybe to the municipality to reimburse them for the cameras. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
3 Jun 08
We don't have cameras but do, however, have sensors installed on all the traffic lights so when an emergency veichle is coming, it automatically turns the lights green and the others red so this veichle can continue on to whatever emergency it's heading to or to the hospital if it's an ambulance.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
4 Jun 08
This is a great service to have installed on or around the traffic lights. Our daughter is a paramedic/firefighter and she's had issues with people not pulling over as they are entering an intersection. Think we also have a few around town but not positive. Thanks for responding.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
5 Jun 08
Yes, these type of cameras have been in my area for the past few years. The red light violation fee here is $389. 
But for the camera to catch it a driver has to start through a light that is actually red. It will not catch drivers who start through a yellow light.
I think these cameras have helped somewhat. Though there are still those drivers that will run through a red light regardless of there being a camera or not. 
But for the camera to catch it a driver has to start through a light that is actually red. It will not catch drivers who start through a yellow light.
I think these cameras have helped somewhat. Though there are still those drivers that will run through a red light regardless of there being a camera or not. 1 person likes this
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
3 Jun 08
We don't have these cameras in my area but I think they are a good thing and can make drivers a little more careful about running that red light. It can also help to apprehend fugitives if they get caught on camera. I believe they do help in keeping things orderly in the intersections.
@chezfrugal (84)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I absolutely detest these camera lights!! They cause accidents, create panic, and disrupt driving by enforcing stops. Sometimes you can't just stop when the light is turning yellow-- especially when you have someone on your tail that's about to PUSH you into an intersection. Camera lights are the biggest mistake ever.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jun 08
We don't in my area. And I don't really think they are very fair. In the Netherlands where my daughters lived for three years they have them all over and they have very strict laws. My son in law borrowed my other daughters car one day and got a ticket! He paid it without any fuss but imagine if you borrowed your car to someone....they got a ticket and you had to pay for it!
@chezfrugal (84)
• United States
4 Jun 08
you're very lucky! These lights are causing so man accidents, I can't understand why they keep continuing it :(
@aidenw (632)
• United States
3 Jun 08
yes, we have these cameras in our area and i hate them! not so much because i could get ticketed but because i feel like 'big brother' is watching and i just don't like that. here you get a ticket only if you run a red light (not yellow) and they're also around $100. i believe the main purpose is for the municipalities to increase their revenue although they always say it's to decrease accidents.
studies have shown that in some areas accidents have actually increased because people would slam on their brakes to avoid getting a ticket but they would either get rear-ended by the car behind or spin on the intersection when the road is wet or snowy.
interestingly i recently heard that in some cities they have actually taken down those cameras since the cost of maintenance has been greater than the revenue generated.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
3 Jun 08
I totally agree with you about the revenue generated. I know for a fact a big part of this is to generate revenue. Have talked to cops about this in the past. If there is a quota for the month, this will add to the total revenue intake. I've also heard these cameras have caused accidents to happen because of the sudden stops people make at the intersection. Not sure this is going to work as well as expected. Thanks for responding.
@bojjaganirajesh (2)
•
4 Jun 08
yes.. but it is comman in many countrys na.. so it will be use for governament only na.
