[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

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 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.