Red light camera gets more victims
mike, man that's close call
but yes, these red light cameras are horrible..... a lot of times it does nothing except putting more stress on drivers..... every day my wife and i have to pass through an intersection famous for red light cameras. always so damn stressed not sure if we would hit yellow when passing through
sux......
but yes, these red light cameras are horrible..... a lot of times it does nothing except putting more stress on drivers..... every day my wife and i have to pass through an intersection famous for red light cameras. always so damn stressed not sure if we would hit yellow when passing through
sux......
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 1
From: Inside
I'm not sure what all of the complaints are about. If you aren't going too fast for conditions then they aren't an issue.
If you are entering the intersection after the light has already turned red, yet when the light first turned yellow you didn't think you had time to safely stop, then either:
-You have very poor judgment in regards to timing.
-Your first thought wasn't "can I safely stop without panic braking", it was "can I make it", which is what so many people do and is the wrong first thought to have with a yellow light... thought you could beat it and initially kept accelerating and then reconsidered
Personally I think red light cameras are GREAT though they might want to consider extending yellow lights a little bit more in the intersections so people with slower reactions and not so great judgment don't get forced into a situation they can't react to quickly enough.
If you are entering the intersection after the light has already turned red, yet when the light first turned yellow you didn't think you had time to safely stop, then either:
-You have very poor judgment in regards to timing.
-Your first thought wasn't "can I safely stop without panic braking", it was "can I make it", which is what so many people do and is the wrong first thought to have with a yellow light... thought you could beat it and initially kept accelerating and then reconsidered
Personally I think red light cameras are GREAT though they might want to consider extending yellow lights a little bit more in the intersections so people with slower reactions and not so great judgment don't get forced into a situation they can't react to quickly enough.
i'm with Threxx on the issue of Red Light Cameras. the amount cars that pass through on a red light (especially on left turns) is ridiculous around where i live.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 13
From: Cali
There are so many self-important ****** here in Orange County I actually don't mind the red light cameras. There have been times when I finally get a green light after waiting at an intersection and there are STILL cars entering the intersection from an opposing left turn lane. I've seen plenty of close calls.
Obey the law, don't follow others too closely and you'll have no fear of the cameras.
Obey the law, don't follow others too closely and you'll have no fear of the cameras.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,205
Likes: 219
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Sorry, friend. They're not going anywhere. I'm sorry you are out $380, but, for the most part, those cameras are here to stay. Get used to them....and just don't make any more traffic mistakes.
Photo Plate blockers FTW.....what's the worse that could happen? In MD you will get fined $50 for having one of those if you get caught, believe me I know lol but that's much cheaper than the $75.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,987
Likes: 81
From: Southeastern PA
Philly is backwards in many ways, and I guess this gets added to the list. At a number if intersections with cameras, they have documented a substantial reduction of red light runners (or at least reported accidents). These are intersections where cross traffic crosses 12 lanes (6 inner 'express' lanes and 6 outer 'local' lanes) of a major blvd. People think if they run the 1st set of lights, it is ok to keep moving thru 9 more lanes. There's only so much 'timing' of the change to red can do.
I really don't have sympathy for those that have received red lite cam tix. I guess those folks haven't almost been broadsided by someone gunning the red lite-- I have. I see it all the time. And I'm not talking about someone in the intersection when the lite goes from yellow to red--I'm talking about the 2 cars BEHIND that one.
I really don't have sympathy for those that have received red lite cam tix. I guess those folks haven't almost been broadsided by someone gunning the red lite-- I have. I see it all the time. And I'm not talking about someone in the intersection when the lite goes from yellow to red--I'm talking about the 2 cars BEHIND that one.
Last edited by tex2670; Feb 18, 2008 at 05:08 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,205
Likes: 219
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You're better off with the $75 fine. A red-light camera fine only affects the car's registered owner (they don't know who was driving), not his or her license. It is not part of your driving record with points. You pay it once and you're done....no more worries. The $50 fine for Plate Blocking is considered a criminal action, even though it is not a moving violation. A criminal action stays with you.
You're better off with the $75 fine. A red-light camera fine only affects the car's registered owner, not his or her license. It is not part of your driving record with points. You pay it once and you're done....no more worries. The $50 fine for Plate Blocking is considered a criminal action, even though it is not a moving violation. A criminal action stays with you.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
Likes: 43
From: NV
I don't know about VA but MD it doesn't trust me I investigated this and even asked a MD State Trooper. The fine I did get came under safety inspection, the same as tail lamp failure, headlight failure, window tint etc.....but this was a few years ago so it may or may not have changed because of speed and red light cameras. I just don't see how a license plate cover can be a "criminal act"
What you're talking about with safety inspections is unintentional covering of the license plate, which should of course fall under the realm of citation. But intentional covering of the license plate is probably a misdemeanor anywhere you go. After all, the only sensible reason to do it is to avoid identification while committing a crime.
I no longer have a cover on my plates but I will investigate what the current laws are here in MD just for my own information. And I will post what I find.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,205
Likes: 219
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I don't know about VA but MD it doesn't trust me I investigated this and even asked a MD State Trooper. The fine I did get came under safety inspection, the same as tail lamp failure, headlight failure, window tint etc.....but this was a few years ago so it may or may not have changed because of speed and red light cameras. I just don't see how a license plate cover can be a "criminal act"
OK, sorry.....I agree I could have used a better term. Of course it's not a "criminal act" in the sense of robbery, assault, etc..... What I meant was that, as far as I know, the offense...and the fine for it.......goes on your personal record, unlike a red-light camera ticket, which is just a pay-once-and-forget-it event. If not, than MD apparantly has changed the way it looks at these things.
