michelb wrote:
Fizz wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
I'm sorry I disagree. I believe the only reason for cameras is to make money for the city, or state.
Wrong, wrong wrong...
In our city red light running is getting to be a real problem.
Where cameras have been installed accidents have dropped. All have warning signs telling you there is a camera. We have a few random fake cameras with signs all over so it's not about the money.
What price do you put on a saved life?
I agree 100% with this. I don't usually like this type of 'unmanned revenue generating system' but I happen to believe that red light cameras do make roads safer.
As Fizz mentioned, in many cities, the red light cameras are announced by signs before you even get to the intersection.
Let me say right up front that I don't agree with running red lights.
However, Ottawa is the WORST city I have driven in (North America and Europe) for installing lights and stop signs that interfere with the normal flow of traffic. It is one of the reasons (albeit down the list of reasons) we moved out of Ottawa (Kanata).
On the odd occasion we go back to Ottawa it's become a bit of a game with DW and me to count how many red lights we get. It's disgusting. Also, many lights block left turns when straight gets a green - can't trust the drivers to cross traffic EVEN WHEN THERE USUALLY IS NO TRAFFIC. Argh! And the slowness of the light cycles - no traffic sensed so light decides to turn but we have to give the pedestrians another 20 seconds to get across EVEN WHEN THERE ARE NO PEDESTRIANS! Argh!
I don't do it but I understand why people run reds. Usually they're completely safe because the lights are red in both directions for 3 seconds.
Don't even get me started on the stupidly slow speed limits...
It's a pleasure to drive in the USA where the lights are more sensible and the speed limits higher. In most places in the USA people drive closer to the limit and don't run reds nearly as much as in Ottawa.
Governments shouldn't make stupid laws because people won't obey them. Like it's OK to pass on a double yellow in Ontario. Used to be NEVER pass on a double yellow. Now somebody might try to pass in a place where it's unsafe - there's no guidelines (pun intended) to stop them from doing so.
I don't care about red light cameras one way or the other. Photo radar OTOH is just a money grab and I don't like it.
Oh dear, time to switch to decaf...