Free-for-all in America's Wang!

[bobdole369]

Driving is typically so poor and dangerous here already. This ruling cannot help things.

http://www.local10.com/news/28113135/detail.html

Interesting the way the law works. I'm against red light cameras, but understand that officers can't/won't sit there and police red lights. (I'd much rather them bust hard drug pushers and solve murders and stuff).

 

[CPA]

wow a judge that is using the equal protection clause, you don't see that often (see: Hate Laws).

 

[vi edit]

I'm not really understanding. So if you run a red light and are caught by a camera it's one fee. And if you run a red light and are caught by a cop then it's a different one that's much higher?

This reads like they are just preventing somebody from being fined twice for the same offense, no?

 

[Ronstang]

I'm not really understanding. So if you run a red light and are caught by a camera it's one fee. And if you run a red light and are caught by a cop then it's a different one that's much higher?

This reads like they are just preventing somebody from being fined twice for the same offense, no?

Actually it is nothing more than a money grab just like the Judge states. The red light cameras would be political suicide if you paid the higher fine you would receive from an officer ticketing you along with the points on your license. In order to make their money maker palatable they reduce the fine and don't put points on your license....all in the name of safety. The safety hook is a line of BS also. Since the red light cameras were voted out of the Houston area last election the number of accidents at those intersections have decreased.

 

[Bignate603]

Actually it is nothing more than a money grab just like the Judge states. The red light cameras would be political suicide if you paid the higher fine you would receive from an officer ticketing you along with the points on your license. In order to make their money maker palatable they reduce the fine and don't put points on your license....all in the name of safety. The safety hook is a line of BS also. Since the red light cameras were voted out of the Houston area last election the number of accidents at those intersections have decreased.

Here in the Phoenix area they make people freak out whenever the lights change. They'll slam on the brakes even if they really should have continued through because of the speed they were going and the distance they were from the intersection when the light changed. They don't want to get a ticket so instead they're risking accidents.

 

[Ronstang]

Here in the Phoenix area they make people freak out whenever the lights change. They'll slam on the brakes even if they really should have continued through because of the speed they were going and the distance they were from the intersection when the light changed. They don't want to get a ticket so instead they're risking accidents.

Of course, but logic eludes politicians or they are simply lying since the only way they are capable of making the money they spend is by stealing it from people with real jobs.

 

[Jeff7]

Hollander maintains that the red light camera program is more about the money for cash-strapped cities than it is about public safety. He believes the ruling will force authorities to decide once and for all what's more important.

The decision will take about 13 microseconds. More revenue.

 

[bobdole369]

I'm not really understanding. So if you run a red light and are caught by a camera it's one fee. And if you run a red light and are caught by a cop then it's a different one that's much higher?

This reads like they are just preventing somebody from being fined twice for the same offense, no?

Yes, the red light cameras here are quite the controversy. A recent attempt to push them through in municipalities is to define a local statute that is violated, vs. the state law.

In essence the municipality charges a "fine" which is more like a lawn watering ticket, or a blight ticket than anything else. Trouble (for the municipalities) is that lawyers are more often than not singling out each one of these and getting the judiciary to overturn them, or at minimum throw out the case.

So yes, If you run a red light that is "camera monitored" here, you pay something like $75 to the city of Pembroke Pines, often without due process, and certainly no way to face your accuser in court. If you run the next light down, which is not monitored, and an officer is watching that light and cites you, the penalty is $158 + 2 points - a moving violation.

 

[Linflas]

If that ruling is taken to it's logical conclusion then parking tickets will be next. The whole idea behind the difference in infractions between a red light camera and an actual officer issued ticket is the ticket from the camera goes to the registered owner of the vehicle because the camera cannot prove who was actually operating the vehicle whereas an officer stopping the offender has proof beyond a reasonable doubt who was actually driving the vehicle. Same as when a parking ticket is issued.

 

[bobdole369]

If that ruling is taken to it's logical conclusion then parking tickets will be next. The whole idea behind the difference in infractions between a red light camera and an actual officer issued ticket is the ticket from the camera goes to the registered owner of the vehicle because the camera cannot prove who was actually operating the vehicle whereas an officer stopping the offender has proof beyond a reasonable doubt who was actually driving the vehicle. Same as when a parking ticket is issued.

They don't give parking tickets here anymore. They just tow the car. One time I watched a german couple leave a car to go around the corner to a deli, and within 30 seconds an officer was there and a minute later the towhook had the car attached and was driving away. Obviously he was waiting and watching but the car was gone so fast it was like the cops stole it.

 

[Linflas]

They don't give parking tickets here anymore. They just tow the car. One time I watched a german couple leave a car to go around the corner to a deli, and within 30 seconds an officer was there and a minute later the towhook had the car attached and was driving away. Obviously he was waiting and watching but the car was gone so fast it was like the cops stole it.

I suspect that ruling will quickly be appealed and overturned. As for the parking I guess Broward has changed a lot since I was last there for a spring break in the dark ages.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

All the studies have proven that accidents increased in intersections where a red light camera was put in.
The State of Texas passed a law outlawing any future devices being put up and any contract extensions.
Cities were scrambling trying to get contracts renewed before the deadline. That one event showed that these red light cameras are nothing but a revenue generator for cities. Lots of cities were trying to get 99 year contracts so they can keep this scam up for a long time.