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I used to live next to a major intersection of 4 lanes at 35 mph and 4 lanes at 45 mph x 2 (for each side of the freeway). The intersection also had count down walk signals that had no relation to the red light because of the amount of right on red turns (had to end the walk earlier than the yellow light). When the red light cameras and signs went up, the intersection became a nightmare. I saw people slam on their breaks and slide through stale yellows. I saw people stop at yellows. I saw people stop at greens because the count down walk signal ran out. Many of these were emergency type jump on the brakes stops. There were rear end accidents at that intersection every other day.

There were other consequences too. Often the cameras issued citations to left hand turns with green because the camera couldn't tell the difference between someone running a red and making the wide left. If all the traffic didn't make it through the intersection and the light turned red, everyone even close to sticking into the intersection got a ticket. I once had the choice of 16 hours dealing with a bad red light ticket to let the ambulance by or staying put waiting for the green. Wanna guess which one I chose?

IMHO, red light cameras make the intersection more dangerous, not less. Strict enforcement of traffic laws is an expression of the ultimate nanny state.

acronym 4/15/2017 11:25 PM