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RED LIGHT CAMERA LAW
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Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 06:32 AM
Okay, here's a confession... blast me if you like (my skin is thick!), but here's something I do at these intersections, and I KNOW I am not the only one who does this.
When I am making my absolutely legal right turn at an intersection that has a camera deciding whether or not I'll pay $400 for making the turn, I pull my sun visor down low, and I cover my face, ensuring that the camera can't see me (a citation has got to include the driver's face in the picture...). This does, indeed, result in me not being able to see the full picture. It blocks a significant percentage of my field of vision, and diverts my attention from focusing solely on traffic, and more towards figuring out how to see around the visor. Yeah, I try to do so as safely as possible (I know... safer to sit through the light, wait for a full green and hope that it doesn't take my pic then.... bring on the lecture....), but realistically, it is not nearly AS SAFE as the right turn would be if I did not have to focus so much of my attention into hiding from (here goes... I'm gonna say it...!) Big Brother!
The article in the Sun a couple of days ago indicated evidence showing that accident rates go down when an intersection is outfitted with a camera... according to CERTAIN sources. According to OTHER sources, the accident rates go UP significantly. Apparently, it just depends on who you ask, and who has an agenda to support. When a gov't agency's agenda is to make $$$, and they think they'll make money by robbing motorists at flashpoint, they produce stats that point out how much they improve safety. Then, when it turns out they cost more to operate that they generate in revenue, suddenly, it turns out that the stats are different. That should tell you right there that you aren't going to get a straight answer from anybody... it's all motivated my whatever the agenda du jour is... and the only thing that they really want is more of your money.
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 09:20 AM
On the other hand, people were running red lights in SB all the time. You could stop at an intersection when the light was yellow then red as you stopped and two or three cars would whiz by you! Also, you really had to use caution to proceed when the light turned green because so many people ran the light that you had to look both ways before crossing.
I definitely see that has nearly stopped. So that is a good thing?
But I don't think that is why they put those cameras lights in either. If you read the articles they are all complaining about not getting enough money. So if it was for safely who would care? Afterall saving a life is priceless! I am sure the city thinks this way?
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 09:27 AM
Halloween masks are on sale right now. Keep one handy for those intersections!
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 09:59 AM
If it was just about safety, and not revenue, the cameras would issue citations for straight-through-the-intersection, blantant violations... and I'm sure okay with that. But since the technology does not yet exist (as demonstrated by the vast number of people who have proven their innocence by a simple review of video) to accurately cite offenders making illegal right turns (and NOT those making LEGAL right turns), then the citations for those turns should still be issued only by cops on site who witness the violation. Why cite people for "violations," using faulty technology... unless the gov't just wants to try every possible method of extracting money from them?
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 03:20 PM
K-dog makes my case for the fringe label. What other organization collects accident statistics by intersection other than the city? "They" don't exist and don't know what "they" are talking about.
As for hiding your identity and adding a potential charge of operating a vehicle negligently, they still know who the vehicle owner is. Haven't you seen that clothing pentrating technology the airport guards use to see everyone's underwear? "They" really get aroused during work and it interferes with their primary duty to detect illicit bottles of water, booze and other personal hydration supplies.
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 03:53 PM
Here is a recent state appellate court ruling dealing with multiple issues from different California cases combined in the appeal. It may fuel the fire or tamp down the outrage of those thinking this is a plot by big brother and money grubbing municipalities.
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/24/2426.aspSent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 03:56 PM
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/29/2934.aspMore on right turn cameras. Darwin awards for those who figure out what they really need to do to avoid a ticket issued by a machine.
Sent: Monday, November 9, 2009 11:14 AM
I just saw one of those 'film at 11' blurbs on channel 2.
They are doing an investigative report on red light cameras causing accidents.
Sent: Monday, November 9, 2009 04:36 PM
OG- please reference your "They" ....

Some one might not understand who you are referring to?
Sent: Monday, November 9, 2009 05:00 PM
Don't be fooled by the picture they send you
of violating a red camera. That's just one pic.
They have other angles and a few seconds of video
before you get to the light.
So, if you say it's not you, and declare so under
perjury, they will pull out the other pics and
you're a dead man!!
A mask is THE answer. They must have visible means
of pointing to the driver. A mask will cover your face
on all the video they shoot from all angels.
Sent: Monday, November 9, 2009 05:11 PM
You don't have to declare, under the penalty of purjury, that it ain't you in the photo. The state has the obligation to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was you. If the photo is obscured, you simply argue that the state hasn't proven it's case. If asked if it was you, your 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination allows you to refuse to answer and your refusal to answer cannot be held agaisnt you.
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 07:57 AM
It was an interesting report about the RLC's. you can read it/watch video here:
http://cbs2.com/goldstein/Red.Light.Cameras.2.1301941.htmlThere are 32 camera intersections in L.A.. 20 of the 32 showed an
increase in accidents after the cameras were installed. Broadside accidents in the intersection went down, but the increase was in rear-end accidents.
L.A. made four million profit of the cameras last year.
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 02:02 PM
So the lesson to be learned is that if you stop when legally required, anticipate the asshole behind you and don't surprise him just because you were planning to gun it at the last minute until you saw a flash.

Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 02:06 PM
The lesson to be learned is that accidents increase, as much as triple. All so the city can make a few bucks.
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