Red Light Cameras

[avamerican]

We have had those obnoxious red light cameras in our city for the last six years and people have been complaining so much about them that they finally decided to start taking them down. I guess the tickets don't hold up in court because of lack of witnesses so they're getting thrown out but the people who do pay the fees say they're paying $300-$400 dollar tickets. It seems ludicrous.

Anyone else dealing with these cameras? If so, what's your take? Are they legitimate?

 

[Crissy]

I think the cameras are great. I have never had a problem from the camera taking a picture of me when I wasn't doing something illegal. I think most people get tickets from them because they speed through a yellow light, when instead they shouldn't have been driving as fast in the first place and that would have allowed them to slow down and stop at the light.

I see people speeding through those cameras at yellow lights all the time and that is why they deserve and should pay for a ticket. People need to slow down. Plus, those tickets are a great way to help a city pay for the services they need without raising the taxes for everyone so dramatically.

 

[MaximumSpeed]

An interesting note: in Texas, at least, the tickets are not enforceable. If someone chooses not to pay it, there is no recourse. So really, the red light cameras are there as a deterrent, but if they don't deter, they are moot and useless.

 

[avamerican]

I do agree that with you chrissy. We have a lot of problems with people running lights, too and obviously, I think that's the reason for installing the cameras. Some people complain, on the other hand, that these cameras cause just as many wrecks because now paranoid people are slamming on their breaks to avoid getting a ticket and getting rear-ended as a result. So...I don't know...the debate here seems about 50/50.

But I like the Texas legislation. Here in Cali, if these tickets don't get paid, your license gets suspended and a warrant goes out for your arrest.