Government finally doing it right.

[Twidget]

When I get too cynical, the state legislature finally does something I like. <br /> Red light link<br /><br />AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill prohibiting cities from using cameras to issue citations for red light runners.<br /><br />Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, the bill's sponsor, said the practice increases rear-end collisions and serves as a moneymaking mechanism for cities.<br /><br />Proponents argued that using the cameras decreases red light running and side-impact accidents.<br /><br />"No one is for anybody running a red light, and no one is for anyone getting hurt or killed by a red light runner," Elkins said.<br /><br />A bill passed in 2003 allowed cities to issue both civil and criminal tickets for traffic violations. The city of Garland issues civil tickets to red light runners caught on camera. In December, the Houston City Council voted to put cameras in up to 50 intersections to catch red light violators.<br /><br />Republican Rep. Joe Driver of Garland said use of the cameras in his hometown has reduced red light running by 20 percent and injury accidents in the city by 80 percent. He also said using cameras to catch violators frees up polices officers to catch criminals.<br /><br />The ban passed by a vote of 109-30. The bill must be approved a second time by the House, pass the Senate and be signed by the governor before it becomes law.<br /><br />The red light bill is HB259.

 

[bh357]

Re: Government finally doing it right.

Somebody finally gets it right.<br />Two of the best things that can be done to make intersections safer are actually very simple to do. One, increase the length of yellow by a second or so. Two, have a 1~2 second delay from the light turning red to the cross traffic light turning green (both sides have a concurrent red for 1~2 seconds). Would help with most of the red light running; the ones that sneak through immediately after the light turns red. It wouldn't do anything for the people that don't notice the red, but then again neither would the cameras.<br />Besides it seems like it would be very difficult to prosecute red light runners with photo enforcement. They would need photos showing 3 things: license plate to ID and find the vehicle, clear photo of the driver (clear enough for a positive ID), and the violation actually being committed.

 

[JB]

Re: Government finally doing it right.

Well, it's a double edged blade.<br /><br />On the one edge, expecting to be detected and fined greatly reduces inclination to break the law and accidents caused by running the light.<br /><br />On the other edge obeying the law increases rear enders CAUSED BY people who would probably run the light anyway and are following too close. <br /><br />The cameras have decreased "T" bones and red light running a lot MORE than they have increased rear enders.<br /><br />Suppose they ban radar and lidar because they inflate local and state revenues? How about banning security cameras in retail stores because they invade shop(lifter)per's and robber's privacy?<br /><br />Is this about detecting and punishing lawbreakers or is it about anarchy? Our Constitution does not guarantee the right to break the law if a live cop isn't looking.<br /><br />I think the cameras are a good idea and the ban is a stupid idea. Ticket the guy who was following too close or inattentive and caused the rear enders.

 

[ob]

Re: Government finally doing it right.

Another twist to the camera ticketing concept is that many times an officer will ask the driver if he is in a particular hurry(ie emergency).If someone was to say ,do a rolling stop at a red light.In any case,it seems rather creepy when you know your being watched by a camera whether obeying the signals or not.

 

[Trent]

Re: Government finally doing it right.

Id like to see this on the police also. Iv seen many times they turn on their lights to go where they want to. And its got nothing to do with police business.

 

[Trent]

Re: Government finally doing it right.

They are supposed to go buy the speed limit and they do NOT! You cops out their..Slow down. Your on the clock. So it does not matter.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Government finally doing it right.

If it is such a huge problem, why dont they just put traffic cops there instead of cameras?<br /><br />Cops only seem to enforce one traffic law (speeding), there are plenty of other dangerous offences that they should concentrate on. Tailgating and running red lights are two of them.<br /><br />Ken

 

[ob]

Re: Government finally doing it right.

Not trying to ruffle any feathers here but,police departments rely heavily on the revenue generated from traffic citations.If the sysyem truly wanted all people to cut down on speeding and other infractions,the logical thing to do would be to make their presence easily known.Not to hide and ambush the next unsuspecting violator from a stealth position or strategically placed cameras.Without a doubt,tailgating and failure to yeild to offramp traffic are two rampant problems that need closer attention.