Before there were red light cameras, the majority of drivers would slam on their gas pedal as the light turned yellow; however, since the cameras were introduced, many of us have had to think twice before deciding to floor it. One ticket can cost up to $158 in fines. To fight these costs and to win a possible ban on the red light cameras, many Houston residents are taking their voice to the voting booths.
Red light cameras have emerged as a hot button issue this election season. While the camera’s purpose is to promote safe driving, many drivers feel differently about automated enforcement. Three grass roots efforts, including one in Baytown, have led to success in meeting the requirements to let voters decide the outcome. To meet these requirements, members of the grass roots efforts had to collect 22,000 valid signatures. Those signatures are still growing because they fear their opponent may spend up to half a million dollars trying to knock off private citizens’ signatures. As long as they have those signatures, voting on this issue will take place Nov. 2.
However, not everyone is in favor of the ban on red light cameras. Hotel and Restaurant Management junior Jacob Miller is part of the group that would like to see the cameras enforced.
“People should have to take responsibility for their actions, and if it doesn’t show up on my driving record, it’s fine with me. It’s also a good source of revenue for the city,” Miller said.
Although there are fewer intersection crashes, there has been an increase of rear-end crashes because drivers are being forced to slam on their brakes before the light turns red. Many drivers are afraid that if they go through a yellow light, their photo will be taken and they will receive the dreaded ticket. Some drivers prefer their tickets the old fashioned way — issued by a police officer. Receiving a ticket by an electronic third party seems a bit unprofessional, and chances of it getting it appealed are slim.
Once issued a citation for running a red light, you must appear in court on the specified date. If you’re willing to try and get it appealed, you will need to request a bench trial to be tried by a judge — all for a ticket that’s not even given out by a police officer.
Whatever stance you have on red light cameras, make your voice heard at the polls. It has the possibility of changing the way people drive and the possibility of saving you a trip to court.
Merina Mesa is a communications junior and may be reached at [email protected].
As noted…The "red light" cameras INCREASE accidents. Also, since they are not maintained and operated by the municipalities, the company the operates them are raking in tons of $$$. See for yourself…Google red light cameras and see what has occured nationwide.
Also look right here in our own community. http://www.saferbaytown.com/
It was not noted that red light cameras increase accidents. "Although there are fewer intersection crashes, there has been an increase of rear-end crashes because drivers are being forced to slam on their brakes before the light turns red" and I would rather get rear ended than T-boned.
A yellow light indicates that you should NOT proceed through the intersection if it is safe to stop. No one should have to "slam on their brakes", unless of course they were just looking down at their phone while texting.
I'm for anything that encourages drivers to behave responsibly. Hang up, stop texting, pay attention, use your directional when you change lanes, stop for red lights and pedestrians. Also please keep the speeding to a minimum.
I'm NOT for anything that encourages drivers to behave responsibly.
Especially if the government is doing the encouraging.
There is sufficient space in newspapers and on TV; the radio and the internet to launch an educational project to teach drivers about responsible driving behavior.
If we allow red-light camera we are just asking for speed cameras on our street and highways.
If the government charges me with wrong-doing I want to be able to appear before the person who is charging me and hear the evidence for myself.
And besides, The Texas Traffic Institute on the campus of Texas A&M University has studied this issue to death and they determined years ago there are alternatives to Red Light Cameras. Such as extending the yellow light time, for example.
Punishing tax payers does not change behavior for the better. Punishing tax payers makes them livid.
But we sure have our fair share of people in Houston who love to punish others.
::
GP
The author wrote, "the majority of drivers would slam on their gas pedal as the light turned yellow." Really, from where did you get this information?
The majority of people would either slam their break or gas pedal. Come on…you know it to be true!
Aside from dreams of revenue, why do politicians buy cameras?
1. They think we like cameras!
A blogger revealed "Astroturf Lobbying" by the red light cam Industry. That's when a PR firm creates an artificial grassroots movement, often via comments posted on newspaper articles like this one. The politicians read the columns and, sensing strong community support, give the OK for cameras. (To read the blog, Google Rynski and Astroturf.)
2. Politicians – and their extended families – are immune to the tickets.
In California 1.5 million private cars have plate numbers protected from easy look up, thus effectively invisible to agencies trying to process red light camera violations. Such "protected plate" lists exist in other states. (In CA the list includes local politicians, bureaucrats, retired cops, other govt. employees, and their families and adult children!) Someone should check to see how many, and who, are on the list in Texas.
You'd think that all that would be needed to fix this inequity would be for the persons requiring protection of their home address to file their work address as the place for their tickets to be mailed to. Indeed, until August, there was a bill (AB 2097) in the Calif. legislature to do just that. But the politicians killed it – their excuse was that the cost of the paperwork involved in gathering and computerizing the addresses was too great.
I everyone, everywhere, to call their legislators, their media, and their auto club about this class immunity from the tickets. Otherwise, the bureaucrats and politicians will keep laughing at us as we pay our fines.
Any business owner who supports these cameras is out of his mind! The photo radar companies, Redflex is foreign owned, are taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the American economy. This is money that could be spent at local businesses that create jobs. On top of that, intersections with the cameras will see a decrease in the traffic numbers as people avoid these intersection. One town in Ohio lost 60,000 drivers after they installed the cameras.
Appraisal level mtss is a a few take the leading role only for starters. The actual dragonfly game that is certainly revealed standing up erect relating to the field, in all of the shots plus typically the guide page fails to stay properly positioned. The software flops around and hangs truth be told there. My best grand son aren’t able to access the idea while it flops away from holder. He absolutely preferred it all usually also it required the dog in relation to couple of min’s ascertain that he or she are able to bounce within it anf the is only several several months outdated. He will be still a small amount of timid involving approaching all the things but they enjoy typically the dishonoured and then moving. It is not convenient seeking to transport the following anytime creased is sort of for example trying to do everything any moistened noodle. It tips and hints and additionally leaks anywhere. It will require 2 different people go it. Over-all ( space ) My spouse and i recommend it but want they might take away your bogus promoting over the 1 game.