re: Red light cameras

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People die from idiots blowing the lights.....its not a simple issue.

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But it is simple.


If someone blows through a solid red that has been red for a while and plows into cross traffic, that's one thing. But we all know the majority of the red light cam tickets are ticky-tack split second ones. The research is mixed, but it seems in most locations the red light cameras actually INCREASE accidents and injuries.

If the goal is really to improve public safety and reduce accidents and injuries, there are better ways to utilize technology to accomplish this. You can put up cameras and radar, but instead of watching these dangerous situations play out and mailing out citations after the fact, how about if a camera/radar sees someone approaching too quickly, DON'T TURN THE CROSS TRAFFIC LIGHT GREEN. Instead, flash the red at the idiot approaching too quickly. Make it brighter. Blare a fricking train horn. Get his attention and make him stop before allowing people to drive in front of him. And then if he still drives through, mail him a citation for $10k, I don't care.

Just don't try to pass off these obvious revenue generation schemes as public safety programs, especially when a lot of the research shows that they actually make intersections less safe as people slam their brakes to avoid a fine.