A car went through a red light at full speed

[Villages PL]

Today I was driving on a connector street (don't remember the name of it) between Par Drive and 466. I had just come off of Par heading to 466. This is where Walgreens is located. So I see the traffic light is green for me and I think to myself, "good I won't have to stop." Then I noticed a car going East on 466 go right through at full speed. The light for him was red. I couldn't believe my eyes at first. There was one car stopped at the light in the left lane. Wouldn't that give him a clue that the light was red?

I made a right turn and saw that he did stop for the next light. To my surprise it was a guy who looked to be about 45 years old. Okay, if it wasn't dementia, what was his excuse?

If I had been at the point of turning onto 466 or going straight through, I wonder if he would have hit me. Who knows? If he had taken his eyes off the road, he might have.

[ijusluvit]

Today I was driving on a connector street (don't remember the name of it) between Par Drive and 466. I had just come off of Par heading to 466. This is where Walgreens is located. So I see the traffic light is green for me and I think to myself, "good I won't have to stop." Then I noticed a car going East on 466 go right through at full speed. The light for him was red. I couldn't believe my eyes at first. There was one car stopped at the light in the left lane. Wouldn't that give him a clue that the light was red?

I made a right turn and saw that he did stop for the next light. To my surprise it was a guy who looked to be about 45 years old. Okay, so if it wasn't dementia, what was it?

If I had been at the point of turning on to 466 or going straight through, I wonder if he would have hit me. Who knows? If he had taken his eyes off the road, he might have.

So, may I ask, do you favor traffic enforcement which includes signal light cameras?

[perrjojo]

So, may I ask, do you favor traffic enforcement which includes signal light cameras?

Many cities have stopped using signal light cameras because they are not cost effective but I don't think cost is the point. It is NOT acceptable to choose which traffic laws you obey. If you don't stop; you get a ticket. Failing to stop is very dangerous to innocent victims

[Indydealmaker]

so, may i ask, do you favor traffic enforcement which includes signal light cameras?

absolutely!

[Ripcord13]

As I tell my wife, if you choose to drive on public roads you are going to have to deal with A**holes behind the wheel, be it NYC, Boston or The Villages. Drive defensively and practice situation awareness.

Rip

[thistrucksforyou]

absolutely!

Once again someone thinks it is perfectly fine to give up more of your rights...If you don't understand then maybe you should think about it....

[gmcneill]

With respect to Perrjojo's position, I add the clarification that cost-effectiveness is not the main reason (I would agree that it is a reason) why some cities and counties are discontinuing the use of red light cameras. Reasons include: elected officials buckling under to their residents' (read: voters') complaints about the "big brother watching" form of enforcement;

administrators taking a conservative, risk-based approach of suspending the use of red lights until the litigation regarding the legality the red light camera program is resolved (there are numerous lawyers throughout in Florida and other states who have raised a variety of challenges); My observation: use of cameras at toll booths along Florida Turnpike and other toll roads is permitted, different with red cameras?); and

staffing shortages that preclude operating the program efficiently and effectively.

The South Florida agency from which I recently retired began utilizing red light cameras last year, at just one intersection. If I recall correctly, the agency expects to gross in excess of $200K by the end of the fiscal year.

Maintaining the effectiveness of the program is time- and labor-intensive, with the majority of the efforts occurring behind-the-scenes. Every potential violation is reviewed to ensure that people are not wrongly cited, and because many people challenge the violation with the hope that the agency will drop the matter, there are a considerable amount time spent preparing for and appearing before a judge in court.

Consequently, the program requires nearly full-time attention by two staff members, and part-time attention from two more staff members.

I do not know how much revenue the program will net the agency but revenue was not the main reason for implementing the program; saving lives and protecting property was. In fact, the agency was willing to absorb some costs to deliver that component of safety to the public; the extra revenue is a collateral benefit.

As for me, I agree with Indy: Absolutely! Although I am a responsible driver, I welcome all of the protection against drivers described by Villages PL that can be provided.

With respect to thistrucksforyou, driving is not a right, it is a privilege. Often times others abuse that privilege in a manner that puts the lives of my family and me at serious risk. The overt use of high-profile monitoring equipment that is conspicuously visible in a public place for the specific purpose of ensuring motor vehicle safe operation or other matters of public safety is appropriate. It is the electronic equivalent of assigning a law enforcement officer at the site.

[Golfingnut]

Red light camera's only ticket law breakers, so I am not clear on why that would be giving up a right, unless you are giving up your right to break the law of running the red light. Lets try everything we can to support laws and stop the lawbreakers. If you do nothing wrong, Big Brother will tire of watching you and focus on the law breaker. Remember, Big Brother catches child molesters on the internet. We need all the Big Brothers doing that we can get.

[johnfarr]

I was driving my Model T Ford eastbound yesterday and saw the same thing happen at that intersection. I was behind that car. In my case it was a newer gray Honda Civic. I winced when he didn't even brake at the intersection. Fortunately the car by Walgreens waited before entering the intersection.

I hate to say it but he may have been distracted by my car. It is no excuse for his carelessness, but I see people doing crazy things, like taking pictures of the old car while driving theirs. I almost hate to take her out anymore.

[jblum315]

I sailed through a red light once by accident (sheer inattention). No one was coming either way. When I realized what I had done I was so shocked that I had to pull over and wait to recover my equilibrium

[Figmo Bohica]

Once again someone thinks it is perfectly fine to give up more of your rights...If you don't understand then maybe you should think about it....

Driving is a privilege not a right. So what right are you giving up? The states should be able to enforce any law concerning a privilege that they want, same as they should not be able to make any law that would take way a right. Big difference.

[2BNTV]

As I tell my wife, if you choose to drive on public roads you are going to have to deal with A**holes behind the wheel, be it NYC, Boston or The Villages. Drive defensively and practice situation awareness.

Rip

:agree:

[JoeC1947]

absolutely!

Why not stop sign cameras too! Where will it end, or is this just the beginning?

Soon big brother will be watching everything we do.

[graciegirl]

I was just thinking that surveilance cameras that business's have installed and even homeowners have installed have really made it tough to get away with crime. It really has improved catching the bad guys in the last few years.

I personally think it is a good thing. We can see who is doing something wrong. If you aren't doing anything wrong, there is no need to worry.

Running a red light is wrong and dangerous to the red light runner and all law abiding citizens.

I understand your political views but not if it interferes with a really good safety concept.

I think that red light cameras are a good thing. How could they be a bad thing. What are people doing on an open street that shouldn't be recorded?

[2BNTV]

A police officer once informed me that a yellow light means to stop, not speed up to get through the intersection.

Just sayin......................

[dkrhardy]

A police officer once informed me that a yellow light means to stop, not speed up to get through the intersection.

Just sayin......................

That is true.


"Why not stop sign cameras too! Where will it end, or is this just the beginning?

Soon big brother will be watching everything we do. "

Sure! If someone is breaking a law, I have no issue with "Big Brother" going after them. My $.02

Don

[RichieLion]

Just yesterday I saw a golf cart in front of me come to a stop at the red traffic light, and then go through it as though the red signal didn't apply to him in his golf cart.

I must have looked silly with my mouth open.

[JoeC1947]

A police officer once informed me that a yellow light means to stop, not speed up to get through the intersection.

Just sayin......................

The police officer is wrong. A yellow light means to use caution and be prepared to stop because the light is about to turn red. You shouldn't stop unless you can do so safely.

[JoeC1947]

I was just thinking that surveilance cameras that business's have installed and even homeowners have installed have really made it tough to get away with crime. It really has improved catching the bad guys in the last few years.

I personally think it is a good thing. We can see who is doing something wrong. If you aren't doing anything wrong, there is no need to worry.

Running a red light is wrong and dangerous to the red light runner and all law abiding citizens.

I understand your political views but not if it interferes with a really good safety concept.

I think that red light cameras are a good thing. How could they be a bad thing. What are people doing on an open street that shouldn't be recorded?

I know that you'll think that this is an exaggeration but why stop there? Why not let the police search your car or house whenever they want, after all, if your not breaking the law then what is the harm?

I'm all for homeowners and business's using cameras for surveillance purposes on private property but the government is something else. It would soon be out of control.

[asianthree]

could have been busy on cell phone or texting:doh:

[Figmo Bohica]

I know that you'll think that this is an exaggeration but why stop there? Why not let the police search your car or house whenever they want, after all, if your not breaking the law then what is the harm?

I'm all for homeowners and business's using cameras for surveillance purposes on private property but the government is something else. It would soon be out of control.

Me thinks that you should get a copy of the United States Constitution and read it. Learn the difference between rights and privileges. Funny thing, they are spelled out in the Constitution, rights that is, not privileges. Besides the courts have established that there is no privilege to expect privacy on a public road, but there is a right to privacy in your home. It's in the constitution.

[buggyone]

A police officer once informed me that a yellow light means to stop, not speed up to get through the intersection.

Just sayin......................


Was that when the police officer was giving you a ticket for running a red light?

[rubicon]

The police officer is wrong. A yellow light means to use caution and be prepared to stop because the light is about to turn red. You shouldn't stop unless you can do so safely.

Bingo you struck pay dirt. The fact is that red light camera are not bad in themselves but perhaps their application. There is a huge monetary incentive for both the red camera producers and law enforcement. Such monetary incentives per se invite conflicts of interests and since law enforcement is a public entityand hence has the affect of damaging trust.

Most people who run red lights do so because of inattentivness. Is it perhaps better to police those drivers who commit overt acts of inattentiveness? for instance i was entering a park lot when a woman on a bicylcle rode right in front of me because she was texting on her phone.

The two poster that witnessed this accident both said the violator was inattentive and not deliberately running the light. so while officials can pander to the public about how red lights keep them safe the monetary amount is just too tempting. and so instead of working to eliminate the major cause (inattentiveness) law enforcement sits back and deals with it after the fact costing the public more in terms of accidents, challenges etc.

finally red camera lights have a tendency to have people over react creating a prime scenario for chain reactions

so back to the beginning of my post the yellow caution light means proceed with caution or allowing a time to clear the intersection.

You can't win any argument when it starts out with "for the safety of the public" despite the fact that one has a logical response and its why public officials use it. My hope is that those officials remain ethical and moral because i not they have a license to stealand an opportunity to video every aspect of your life so that the Truman show would no longer be fiction.

Just an aside in syracuse's Tipperary Hill the stop light is unique because in honor of the Irish the green light sit atop the light and the red light at its bottom. At that light sits Coleman's Pub with a entrance of a green door with Tiffany Glass and right next to that door an exact copy but smaller for the lippercauns to enter.

May the sun shine on your face and the wind be at your back

[graciegirl]

Was that when the police officer was giving you a ticket for running a red light?

I don't think that is what 2B meant.

[De Lis]

All we have to do is remember that black car that was on CNN, FOX, etc. yesterday. It was hit by a taxi, continued on to hit a light post on the other side of the intersection, then rolled over. It was only by the Grace of God that the streets weren't full of other vehicles.

That was quite dramatic, but I see people drive here very recklessly as well. I just wish there were more police cars around to get those people off the streets or at least ticket them!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Once again someone thinks it is perfectly fine to give up more of your rights...If you don't understand then maybe you should think about it....

Exactly what rights are you giving up when cameras are installed at intersections? You don't have the right to drive a car. That is a privilege granted by the state. You don't have a right to privacy as you are in a public place. So I'm curious to know what rights are being taken away by these cameras.

[collie1228]

What scientific study do you refer to when you say that most red light running is due to inattentiveness? I don't know of any such studies, and believe (opinion only) that most red light running is done by impatient drivers who see a light changing and speed up to "make the light". Many/most times it changes before they get through the intersection. Cameras on problem lights would be a great thing, in my opinion. And I'm unaware of any "rights" that would be violated, other than the right to do as I please.

[CMANN]

As I tell my wife, if you choose to drive on public roads you are going to have to deal with A**holes behind the wheel, be it NYC, Boston or The Villages. Drive defensively and practice situation awareness.

Rip

And quit bitchin'. Well said Rip.

[JoeC1947]

but there is a right to privacy in your home. It's in the constitution.

Yes, for now. You of all people should know that the constitution can be opened to interpretation as with the 2nd amendment.

Besides, I'm not talking about rights or privileges, I'm talking about giving the government a powerful tool that they will eventually lose control of. Hackers will soon know more about us then ever.

[CMANN]

That is true.


"Why not stop sign cameras too! Where will it end, or is this just the beginning?

Soon big brother will be watching everything we do. "

Sure! If someone is breaking a law, I have no issue with "Big Brother" going after them. My $.02

Don

why don't we see if we can outlaw cars. They kill more people than guns.

:doh:

[CMANN]

I have read that the average person makes about 35,000 decisions of major and minor every day. How was your accuracy?

If your accuracy is 99% you make 350 bad decisions every day. Let us pray they are all minor decisions.

Drive defensively. Observe more, bitch less.

[tommy steam]

With respect to Perrjojo's position, I add the clarification that cost-effectiveness is not the main reason (I would agree that it is a reason) why some cities and counties are discontinuing the use of red light cameras. Reasons include: elected officials buckling under to their residents' (read: voters') complaints about the "big brother watching" form of enforcement;

administrators taking a conservative, risk-based approach of suspending the use of red lights until the litigation regarding the legality the red light camera program is resolved (there are numerous lawyers throughout in Florida and other states who have raised a variety of challenges); My observation: use of cameras at toll booths along Florida Turnpike and other toll roads is permitted, different with red cameras?); and

staffing shortages that preclude operating the program efficiently and effectively.

The South Florida agency from which I recently retired began utilizing red light cameras last year, at just one intersection. If I recall correctly, the agency expects to gross in excess of $200K by the end of the fiscal year.

Maintaining the effectiveness of the program is time- and labor-intensive, with the majority of the efforts occurring behind-the-scenes. Every potential violation is reviewed to ensure that people are not wrongly cited, and because many people challenge the violation with the hope that the agency will drop the matter, there are a considerable amount time spent preparing for and appearing before a judge in court.

Consequently, the program requires nearly full-time attention by two staff members, and part-time attention from two more staff members.

I do not know how much revenue the program will net the agency but revenue was not the main reason for implementing the program; saving lives and protecting property was. In fact, the agency was willing to absorb some costs to deliver that component of safety to the public; the extra revenue is a collateral benefit.

As for me, I agree with Indy: Absolutely! Although I am a responsible driver, I welcome all of the protection against drivers described by Villages PL that can be provided.

With respect to thistrucksforyou, driving is not a right, it is a privilege. Often times others abuse that privilege in a manner that puts the lives of my family and me at serious risk. The overt use of high-profile monitoring equipment that is conspicuously visible in a public place for the specific purpose of ensuring motor vehicle safe operation or other matters of public safety is appropriate. It is the electronic equivalent of assigning a law enforcement officer at the site.

I agree with you . I would also like to see somthing like that to catch speeders and cell phone users. If you dont break the law you wont have to worry about it.

[tommy steam]

What scientific study do you refer to when you say that most red light running is due to inattentiveness? I don't know of any such studies, and believe (opinion only) that most red light running is done by impatient drivers who see a light changing and speed up to "make the light". Many/most times it changes before they get through the intersection. Cameras on problem lights would be a great thing, in my opinion. And I'm unaware of any "rights" that would be violated, other than the right to do as I please.

I think all of us who have been in a car have seen drivers blow a red light daily. Its happens all the time,just like texing and talking on a cell phones. If cameras were in use and it saved one life ,I think its worth it. It could be your life, a family member or friend.

[joannej]

Does anyone ever call the police and report things like this? I called about a speeder once because I was afraid for the other people on the road.

[Chuckw]

Just think about how governments solve problems such as this. Five years from now when your green light turns red, those going in the other direction will not see a green light for another 15 seconds.... this will allow time for those running the red lights to do so safely.

[captg]

:Screen_of_Death:Last wed. a guy in a golf cart passed me as I stopped for a stop sign. This was by Sweet Bay. I noticed a bumper sticker on his cart that:crap2: proclaimed RUSH IS RIGHT. He also had on headphones. When at the next red light he was stopped to make a left turn in front of Bravo's. I had a chance to mention to him what I thougt about him and Rush (who he may have been listening to at the time). He mentioned that I was clueless and I mentioned I guess we will have to wait until Nov?

[rubicon]

What scientific study do you refer to when you say that most red light running is due to inattentiveness? I don't know of any such studies, and believe (opinion only) that most red light running is done by impatient drivers who see a light changing and speed up to "make the light". Many/most times it changes before they get through the intersection. Cameras on problem lights would be a great thing, in my opinion. And I'm unaware of any "rights" that would be violated, other than the right to do as I please.

You honestly believe that all people passing through a red light have done so intentionally? You discount drivers who are talking on the phne ,texting,looking in the mirror to see if their hair is in place, reaching down to pick something up from the floor or seat, turning around to yell at the kids in the back seat, unfamilar with a location, unaware of the stop sign, blinded by the sun, rain water splashed by another car passing, snow storm blocked by a large vehicle driving ahead headlights etc. You may want to re-think your position..

[collie1228]

rubicon, since you were so kind and friendly, I did rethink my position, and yes, I am still convinced that most people who blow through red lights know the light was at least yellow when they decided to go through it. I don't discount any other reason, including the examples you give, but I see people speeding up every day to get through the yellow light. And you ask if I "honestly" think that way? Do you question my honesty? You don't know me, do you? If you did, that's something you would never question.

[dillywho]

I actually had one "lady" honk at me because I didn't pull out into the intersection on the yellow since I could not have completed my left turn until well after the oncoming traffic had cleared and the light would have long since turned red. WFCOL (well, for crying out loud), either slow down or leave earlier.