Comments on: Red Light Cameras Work Great!

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:48:31 +0000

What I was getting at was they are accurate if properly used - if gov'ts are letting them violate the law, there is no excuse - i meant accuracy in terms of correct speed of the right car and when set up properly.

They almost invariably cheat the system to increase revenue. In most cases, the cameras are manned by a private company that gets a healthy commission.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:04:51 +0000

JJ - What I was getting at was they are accurate if properly used - if gov'ts are letting them violate the law, there is no excuse - i meant accuracy in terms of correct speed of the right car and when set up properly.

By: spencer

spencer — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:47:09 +0000

I find it interesting that he accuses the insurance companies studies of being biased because he thinks insurance companies will benefit from greater crashes.

He obviously never worked for an insurance company and/or has no idea of how their business works.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:22:07 +0000

And yes, they are accurate.

No, as the linked study shows, they aren't. Those running the cameras cheat the yellow lights in order to collect higher revenues.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:19:08 +0000

Since I don't run red lights or speed (usually) I sure don't mind having extra funding in lieu of taxes (as long it is in lieu of increased taxes and used properly)

While in Germany, I noticed that police rarely (i only saw it once in 3 years) pulled anyone over except for DUIs/suspected DUIs - they instead focused on doing police work - I got a few tickets for speeding by the cameras and deserved them b/c I was breaking the law - i just don't see the issue here. Don't speed/run red lights and you are set. And yes, they are accurate.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:11:24 +0000

It's an unfortunate reality that city governments use their citizens as ATMs rather than serving the public interest. DUI laws make little sense, speed limits are arbitrarily posted and intersection cameras are often just plain wrong.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:06:51 +0000

So what you are telling me is that now we have more people who actually stop at red lights (the law if I recall) and who slow down at yellow lights so they don't run a red light. That seems good, but that others who intend on running the light or follow too closely are causing more accidents (isn't that against the law?) so we should just let everyone continue to run the lights? Come on , you've driven in Fairfax, the traffic laws are more optional every day. It will take time to recondition people to drive according to the law.

By: yetanotherjohn

yetanotherjohn — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:46:42 +0000

Well if the definition of 'work' is to raise revenue, why not have the police periodically stop at homes and see if there isn't some spare cash or valuables sitting around. That would likely work even better for raising revenue.