I've been reading the posts and there are a lot of emotions out there regarding the red light cameras (RLCs). Money makers? Public safety? Well, I used to not really have an opinion about them. I mean I don't go through red lights and cops can't be at every intersection so this is good for the city. Well...I did some research and I'm a changed woman. 1. RLCs are money makers. In San Diego, the cameras were not placed in places where most t-bone accidents occured but where yellow lights were the shortest. The company that installed the cameras, Lockheed-Martin, made a percentage of EVERY ticket that was given out. Citizens sued the city and Lockheed-Martin and the cameras were taken out. 2. Most red light violators that result in serious injury accidents occur more than 5 seconds the light have turned red. 60% of the tickets given from RLCs are for people who were in the intersections as the lights are turning red. This means if you enter the intersection when the light is yellow and you do not make it to the other side before the light turns red, you are given a ticket and there were never a chance of you causing or be involved in an accident. 3. RLCs DO NOT DECREASE INJURY ACCIDENTS. Studies have shown that the number of accidents increases at intersections with RLC. Why? Because everybody slams on the brakes to avoid getting a ticket and is rear-ended by oncoming traffic. The number of of injury accidents also increases. 4. Studies have shown that increasing the length of the yellow light significantly decreases the amount of accidents at an intersection. (my comment: the city will not take this route because it will not generate any revenue. See point 1) 5. Bill White is using a loophole in the Texas law to institute RLCs when really, it is illegal according to our state law. Red light cameras Texas State Law So why do I care about RLCs if I don't red lights? Because it is a slipppery slope to our government controlling even more of our lives. Don't believe me? Find the Houston Chief of Police comment from a week or two ago where he said cameras should be installed in high-crime apartment complexes and, in certain cases, private homes.
