A solution for red light/speed cameras
 

Anyone else think those things suck a major effin arse besides me? They've got the red light and speed cameras in DC and the red light cameras all over VA.

This guy in Argentina has a clever solution for that type of law enforcement:
http://aduaneros.olea.org/radar1.jpg

My Espanol is kinda rusty, but I think it translates to "stick this picture up your ass".

JV

We dont have those in my area. But I'm sure they suck. That guy is creative! :bustingup

We have them here. I think AZ was one of the first states to put them in. Get this, AZ is going to be the first to install one on a freeway. It will be installed on the Loop 101 freeway that loops around Phoenix. The speed limit is 65 on this freeway, but people generally go 75-80.

That SUCKS! On a freeway! That's nothing but a tariff on drivers.

VA is allegedly going to shut down the red light cameras on Friday due to some legislation glitch. They'll find a way to get them back up, I'm sure.

Here they use 2 cameras. One to take a pic of your rear plate, and one to take a VERY detailed picture of the driver. So clear you can see the expression on your face :)

back in the early 90's the brits installed a camera on a major road in london, the camera ran out of film in about 5 minutes supposedly.

Yea, those red light cameras do suck! Check out the National Motorists Assocation. www.motorists.org While I do not agree with their stances on all the issues the were the ones who repealed the 55mph speed limit and they HATE red light cameras!

Fortunately we don't have them up in the Northeast just yet but they might be making a stop soon :tsk:

How funny...! Very creative! :thumbup:

Juan

Those were only "legal" in the People's Republic of Alexandria anyway...the DC ones are their main revenue stream, so they're not going anywhere :tsk:
While I don't support red-light runners, officers used to enforce the law...not electronics.

Here is what I do...

As most cameras in the U.S. that I know of take pictures of the FRONT plate.. I opt to not put a front plate on my car.
- I will gladly pay the $25 no plate ticket that I get once a year or so. (I would pay it every month if I had to)
Rather than put a front plate on my car. Those cameras are unconstitutional and since no one will pay to fight them, they get away with murder. And since front plates are generally only used to help smokies get a good laser on the car or a photo ticket.. I say, DAMN THE MAN !!!

NO ROGER, NO RERUN, NO RENT !!!!

B

In NC and SC, front plates are not required. All red-light cameras take pictures from the rear.

Juan

Haven't noticed any around where we live, and we don't have front plates either.

Same in AZ :mad:

Yeah we got a lot of cameras in Toronto. We have this east-west highway called the "407 ETR". It's a privately-owned and operated highway where one can do top-speed testing without cops. The road is completely smooth and concrete.

But they charge a lot of money per kilometer through clocking you in as you enter and exit the place with cameras.

Furthermore, the municipality has started to install red-light cameras at every major intersection. I don't care becuase I've never run a red light, but I don't like this spy-city very much. :(

EDIT: Oh, and my province of Ontario requires front plates as well. :tsk:

Here's a solution. The local news did a story on it last year on its effectiveness. They asked a cop if it works as stated and he skirted the answer (basically yes it works).

http://www.phantomplate.com/

As far as the spray goes, my understanding is, a $3 can of hair spray from the local drug store will do the dame thing. The only issue, you have to re-apply about every month or so.

Also, just to be clear.. I don't think any of us intentionally run red lights. But, sometimes we slip a little through a yellow.
Now lets look at Calif. law for a second, the law states that if your car has entered the intersection anytime when the light was yellow, you have not run a red light. But, these photo booths still issue a ticket for it for a late yellow pass through. Again though, no one fights it..

These machines have one purpose and one purpose only. To generate revenue. They are not even installed at the "dangerous" intersecitons. They place them in areas where they expect to do the most business, like on a down hill traffic light where people might not brake in time..

Also, FYI.. these machines are not operated by the city. They are operated by private companies contracted by the city. And, the company gets a percentage of each fine imposed on the driver. So these companies who set up, maintain and issue tickets do not select locations based on "past traffic accidents" or "problem intersections." They place them in specific areas where they have calculated to generate the most revenue with no regards in improving road safety. The more tickets they issue, the more money the company makes...

-- B

B-Line,

Though I agree with most of what you say, we SHOULD take some responsibility for this. We all know we should not cross a yellow light "late." If it's been on for more than two seconds, stop! It will probably turn red before you cross. Also (and I assume all lights work the same), here in Charlotte, the red-light cameras actually take two pictures: after the first (half of a second later, if I remember correctly), it takes a second picture. If you're still in the intersection when the SECOND picture is taken, you're in violation, and a ticket will be mailed to your house. If not, you're free and clear. This protects those against whom the light may have changed after they entered the intersection.

Also, a local tv station here did some tests with that spray AND with hair spray... none worked. The pictures were just as clear! So, save your money, and do not run yellow lights! :D

Juan

Wow AZ 101 will have one on the freeway for what? Speeding?

My friend and I were on the loop one time and I think he was pushing superfast triple digit speeds, but the loop was really empty.... :wow:

Sounds like America is learning from Aussie polititians!. Our government makes more than 1.5 billion dollars each year from speed camera revennue, and there is not a damn thing us motorists can do about it :mad:

We have zero tolerance on enforcement (you get a $125 ticket for 53 in a 50 zone or $500+ for 15 over the limit) earning our police the fitting nickname of "Highway Gestapo"

The cameras are rarely installed on dangerous roads, but more commonly on buisy highways and often on down-hill stretches of road.

Take my advice, do not allow your governments to install these cameras, or they will become addicted to the excesive levels of revennue they make and install more and more untill its impossible to go for an enjoyable drive!

Well, several states (California being one of them) have already turned the cameras off (or are considering doing so) noting the possible violation of our constitution. (The use of these cameras is also being challenged in courts in several states.) So, I have the feeling this may not last too much longer. :) :thumbup:

Juan

Juan...

Come one !!! Do you really think I intentionally run red lights.. Or unintentionally for that matter !! NO, I DON'T.. Considering I know how to get 10/10's out of my brakes, (we like to call it THRESHOLD braking at the track !)
-- Now case in point. Just cause I know how to stop my vehicle at highest rate possible does not mean the schmuck behind me yapping to his agent on his cell phone while drinking a latte, knows how to stop his car on time.
So, in the event that I make a judgement, be it a wet road, or tailgater, or what ever other reason I deem that my judgement as a driver is better than that of a traffic light.. If I feel it is safer to go through the light than jam my brakes causing whip lash or whatever else, so be it..
And if a cop wants to give me a ticket.. also, so be it..
But that does not justify me getting a ticket from a company like Lockheed Martin because they control the intersections. And yes, in instances, stop lights at these intersections have been tampered to make yellow lights shorter in the hopes of generating more tickets.

- So, in conclusion.. This retort is not because I like blowing through red lights at child intersections, near schools, when I see a ball roll out into the street.. It is because these lights/photo radar and the CORPORATIONS that run them will do what ever they can do screw the citizen to generate revenue..

Again, they are PROVEN to be traps designed for one thing and one thing only. REVENUE.. FOR CORPORATIONS and the STATE.. 1 of every 3 dollars goes to the company operating the RADAR !! which have shortened Yellows to give tickets..

DAMN THE MAN.. NO ROGER NO RERUN NO RENT !!!!

B

Ours use this new laser to read the plates. So... That 20 dollar spray you get at the store does not work.

What hasn't been mentioned yet is the fact there is no law defining what the 'time' of the yellow light should be in relation to the posted speed. Out here in Idaho Falls, most of the intersections are governed by 'smart' lights that adjust the traffic lights to the flow of traffic. There is a max time limit, but no sitting at an empty interection waiting for a light. Of course, they are more expensive to install, but they remove any reason you may have for running a red light. Personnally, my motto is the old Barretta TV one,"If you can't do the time, Don't do the crime!"
The other problem is the selective enforcement of the laws by the police. Many don't want to be bothered. They are there only to writeup the aftermath. Granted some of that is mandated by higher up officials and I won't go further into THAT thread other than to say Guiliano proved enforcement of ALL laws works better than all the excuses not to.
If these red light cameras are on the wrong intersections, get the media and public involved. Make sure there is a litmous test on why an intersection gets a camera. Of course, the news media have there own agenda. THAT'S another thread I don't want to pursue here other than to tell you to apply the 5 W's of reporting news...Who,What,Where,When,Why. You will be lucky to find 3-4 of these elements in most stories. You will find you are rarely getting the WHOLE story. I've been tempted to go down to my local paper to find out if they even know the 5 W's.
I digress, forgive me. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" The issue of running lights should not be about revenue or even law enforcement. It should be about saving lives, Enuf said.

Wow, lucky you guys have a constitution! we have nothing :(

I'm surprised California is turning them off! even if they are unconstitutional!