Article

2010-02-23 -Lurid Crime Tales-

New Ruling Calls Into Question The Legality of Red-Light Cameras

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Posted by Fred 2010-02-23 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 If you visit the Seattle Area - do *NOT* visit or shop in Lynnwood Wa. and do *NOT* shop at Alderwood mall.

Why? Lynnwood went big-time on these camera's State laws says a yellow light can be from 3-6 seconds long - in Lynnwood they are about 3.4 - barely legal. Lynnwood will ticket you for _anything_. Fail to stop *behind* the stop line on a right turn on red? $124 bucks please.

Red light camera's don't make it safer - this article *PROVES IT*:

"Our goal is to stop red-light violators and prevent the collisions and injuries that result from running a red-light. Officers have witnessed several near crashes while reviewing violations."

That sounds like damning evidence that the camera's are *not* working or are actually *causing* more 'near crashes'.

Its been proven that you can reduce accidents by simply extending the yellow light longer in intersections with a number of red-light-violations - not shorter.

But then there's no revenue to be had in that is there? Much rather more more people at risk for a few bucks.

There was also a parking lot next to a bus park-and-ride. People during rush hour would cut through it (the business was not busy at the time) for *years* - until Lynnwood figured out it can make money citing people $125 a pop for doing it. Then all of a sudden one day they had a dozen motorcycle cops there writing tickets by the score - no warnings no nothing.

Posted by CrazyFool 2010-02-23 00:58|| 2010-02-23 00:58|| Front Page Top

#2 Red light cameras are all about revenue. If they were pulling this sort of "fine the citizenry for extra cash" bullshit in China, we'd all join in in condemning a corrupt government for screwing its citizens.

Posted by gromky 2010-02-23 05:24|| 2010-02-23 05:24|| Front Page Top

#3 If it's all about safety then turn the money over to the state general revenue fund ...

Posted by Steve White 2010-02-23 07:45|| 2010-02-23 07:45|| Front Page Top

#4 If you play word association, why does EMP come up when you think of red-light cameras?

Posted by Alaska Paul 2010-02-23 10:59|| 2010-02-23 10:59|| Front Page Top

#5 "The ruling says that the entire program is illegal," said attorney Brett Luskin of The Ticket Cricket.

That sounds like a bit of an embellishment Mr. Cricket. Its more likely the judge has objections regarding either enforcement or penalty. Similar litigation has been overturned or has been dismissed outright. CCTV surveillance installed and implemented correctly has proven not to violate civil rights or place an undue burden on the citizenry. Also, when people are aware of such measures it is a proven deterrence. If there is proper signage and people choose to continue to break the law it is simply an example of brazen behavior. As far as the tickets dont do the crime if you cant pay the fine.

Posted by DepotGuy 2010-02-23 11:27|| 2010-02-23 11:27|| Front Page Top

#6 They work quite well in Germany, well almost:

Germany no longer sends the photos in the mail in an attempt to curb high divorce rates in Germany. Evidently there were quite a few cases where the photo was sent to the address of the speeder, but a wife or husband saw the photo with another member of the opposite sex in the car. Oops. Dont get caught cheating!!!
link

Posted by Besoeker 2010-02-23 11:43|| 2010-02-23 11:43|| Front Page Top

#7 In Minnesota, red light cameras are already illegal. A defendant already pointed out that they couldn't prove that she was driving the car. (In this case her boyfriend was). Until they find a way to determine who was driving, red light cameras should not be used.

Al

Posted by Frozen Al 2010-02-23 11:53|| 2010-02-23 11:53|| Front Page Top

#8 There was a case in Germany when I was stationed there where a German citizen had his car stolen. He reported it to the police immediately. Two week later, he got a "photo-ticket" for his car running a red light in Stuttgart ten days after it was stolen. The citizen lived in Wiesbaden, about 150 miles NORTH of Stuttgart. This was during the Baader/Meinhof scare. USEUCOM - US Headquarters, Europe, is in Stuttgart. I don't remember how it ended up.

The local "leadership" has been talking recently about installing red light cameras in Colorado Springs. We DO have a problem with people running red lights, but I'm not sure these cameras are the cure. Most of the problems are either caused by old folks driving like it was still 1964, or young kids stationed at one of the many military bases around the city.

Posted by Old Patriot 2010-02-23 15:22|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/ 2010-02-23 15:22|| Front Page Top

#9 In Arizona they have installed both the red light cameras and hundreds of freeway cameras. Yes, hundreds of them. Here's the catch. The tickets do not count points against your record. Second, if the car is regestered to the wife and the husband gets the flashing, the wife sends in a copy of her Drivers liscense and the ticket is voided. She is not required to turn in her husband. So the husbands car should be regestered to the wive and visa versa. System beat.

With that said the cameras on US 60 has slowed down traffic to a near safe level. It is doing a good job of slowing down the 90 mph drivers.

Posted by 49 Pan 2010-02-23 20:37|| 2010-02-23 20:37|| Front Page Top

#10 another reason I don't run red lights and have an Escort Passport radar detector in my truck for highway travel. Love it! 80 mph on 395 in Ridgecrest/Kramer's Junction is cruising speed and lower than 50% of traffic. Saved me at least 5 tickets

Posted by Frank G 2010-02-23 20:48|| 2010-02-23 20:48|| Front Page Top

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