Red light running

[GordonHyde@domain.elided]

Greg writes:

<< I suggest that you don't run the red light! In CA, you are allowed to 
enter 
 the intersection under the yellow. The red light cameras take your picture 
 if you enter the intersection 2 or 3 seconds after the light turns red, 
 giving you some grace period. I wish the police would spend more time 
 writing red light tickets - in San Jose, CA it's fairly common to see 
 someone run a red light in full view of a cop with no ticket written. The 
 long term consequences are more accidents - it's also common to see T-bone 
 accidents at intersections, and my wife was hit today by some bonehead 
 running a red light (she's OK fortunately).
 
 While part of the motivation for the cameras is probably money-making, they 
 will also improve safety by dissuading drivers from running the red lights, 
 which is clearly a dangerous activity. >>

Greg, first let me extend my sympathy to you and your wife.  It is indeed 
fortunate that she was not severely injured.  

I have been quietly regarding this matter for long enough, but now allow me 
also to comment upon a very dangerous situation that is happening all too 
frequently in more and more locations.  As a formerly practicing traffic 
engineer, I am glad to see that some agencies are taking steps to alleviate 
red light running.  I seriously doubt that the cameras are being installed as 
revenue enhancers, as it is traffic engineers, not law enforcement personnel, 
that have control over traffic signals, their timing, and appurtenances.  

A couple of years ago I remember reading statistics from Arizona that more 
accidents there are a result of red light running than any other cause 
(including DUI).  Phoenix and Tucson are in the top five cities in the 
country for this phenomenon.  Age of population may be a contributing factor.

If you got popped on camera speeding, I have some amount of sympathy.  If you 
can prove that the road design or channelization/lane pattern is flawed -- 
more power to you.  But if a camera got you running a red light, I suggest 
that you pull out your check book this time, and immediately cease and desist 
in the future.  A $271 ticket, or whatever, is a whole lot cheaper than the 
property damage and injury or loss of life that could be awaiting you down 
the road (so to speak).

I'll climb off my soapbox and crawl back under my rock again (at least it is 
dry under there).

Gordy Hyde
NWARC
1987 Spider "VELOCE"
Seattle, WA  

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