Traffic Light Signals and Red Light Cameras

6. Red light cameras

Red light cameras are sometimes used to catch those who run red lights, but they are expensive and misuse means disasters. Red light cameras at low level may be on a low pole. Red light cameras at high level may be on a horizontal structure. Certain red light cameras also attempt to photograph drivers in addition to vehicles, but drivers covering their faces may defeat this attempt. Red light cameras often have common <A href="http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersections/rlrcam_tech.htm">grace periods of 0.3 second or 0.5 second internationally and a minimum speed of 15 to 20 miles per hour ((24 to 32) km/h) to activate the system.
Reciprocal links:Community Traffic Safety Team Pasco CountyTransportation Alternatives Message Board: "Red light" surveillance cameras6.1. Critical decision upon a yellow light6.2. Traffic engineering and green and red light timers versus red light cameras6.2.1. The Internationale versus tyrannical red light cameras6.2.2. A patriotic speech for the United States6.3. How may red light cameras increase crimes?6.4. Sample electronic mails6.5. Locations with red light cameras6.1. Critical decision upon a yellow light

Drivers far from a yellow light must stop. Drivers near a yellow light must keep going if unable to stop safely. However, there is a grey zone that may be regarded as either too close or too far from a light where drivers must make a critical decision. A red light camera may force them to stop too quickly and risk rear-ended or to keep going and risk running a red light. This is especially dangerous for large vehicles. Combination of pre-timed traffic light signals and red light cameras is extremely bad because it disregards traffic facing a yellow light and being in the grey zone described above. Combination of short yellow lights and red light cameras is the evilest speed trap.