2006-10-20 12:39:13 · 34 answers · asked by Sabin 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
They are one of the greatest inventions EVER. If you'd put the cell down, and plan accordingly, you'd never have to try and beat the yellow.
T-bone accidents (the kind that happen when dum @sses like to try and beat the red light or aren't paying attention) are among the most lethal kinds of accidents in urban areas.
BTW, the yellow light officially means: Stop if it is safe to do so.
Also, I absolutely hate that they shortent the yellow light time when they put them up.
I also think we need a fourth indicator, namely, a flashing yellow when it is about to turn red.
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2006-10-20 12:46:05 · answer #1 · answered by Manny 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They are legal in most places I am aware of. There has been a constitutional issue raised as to whether the camera violates the right of accused to cross examine the accuser with some effect.
Most judges allow a law enforcement officer or a representative from the camera company to "speak" for the camera, but the defense has won on this (rarely).
If I were hearing such a case I would allow the use of cameras under the constitution, but would have no problem with the legislatures of states (or the people through a proposition) to make the use illegal.
2006-10-20 12:46:33 · answer #2 · answered by Poli Sci / Law Prof 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In most states they are legal, the only time Constitutionality came up about the cameras came when the company was taking a higher percentage of each ticket than the city did for it's operation. They do give a chance to contest them since the picture is taken of the license plate and the driver. If you can prove you weren't driving the car when the offense happened. The ticket is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, not the driver, that's the only error in the system.
2006-10-20 19:02:45 · answer #3 · answered by GIOSTORMUSN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It amazes me how many people want to give up their right to privacy to automation. While an arugument can be made for using automatic cameras that dispense traffic citations, at intersections that have proven deadly, or even accident prone, they have begun installing them in the city I live in at intersections where I have never even seen an accident. I firmly believe they are being put in place with revenue generation in mind first, and safety a distant second. Futhermore, did you know that most, if not all of these devices are run by private companies who also profit from the ticket you pay? I say hire more cops, and get rid of robocop.
2006-10-21 04:32:58 · answer #4 · answered by Random Precision 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they are legal. And no, they should not be banned until there is a way to get drivers to STOP at red lights.
2006-10-20 15:28:55 · answer #5 · answered by fordkid14 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are legal in Texas, which is where I live. While I was living in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area, I remember a lawsuit filed against one of the suburbs. When you run a red light, a photo is taken of the driver and the car and then a ticket (fine) and the photo are mailed to you. A man received a ticket in the mail because his car had run a red light. He looked at the photo and it was a photo of his wife and another man. I think the wife filed suit claiming invasion of privacy. Its still tied up in litigation and the couple have now divorced.
2006-10-20 13:38:46 · answer #6 · answered by melissa p 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hate them, illegal or not. The area I live in is putting them all over and then shortening the amount of time the light stays green. It is really making a mess out of traffic. Roads where traffic could flow through are now clogged much of the time because of the lousy lights. There are ways to render those cameras fairly useless if you're clever or brave enough.
2006-10-20 12:44:18 · answer #7 · answered by Nc Jay 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are legal, and no they should not be banned. I would rather have the police off catching criminals than out giving red light tickets. And there are far too many bad drivers out there running red lights, so I say ticket them through cameras.
2006-10-20 12:47:43 · answer #8 · answered by The Answer Man 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are legal within the state of California, though liberal groups are seeking to outlaw them... If you RUN a red light, you have violated California Vehicle Code... pay up you cheap law-breakers !!
State law dictates that the camera can ONLY be active when the light is red. AND California law says a citation can only be issued when the license plate and driver are visible.
So please STOP your whining you liberal, paraniods !! Your tracked by your corporations with each and every purchase on a credit card... with each and every phone call by cell phone...
Should they be banned ? Absolutely NOT !!
The town I live in was setting up trailers with the speed-gun and camera... I want to see more of them !! The have an effect on those pesky SUV drivers who thing they have some magical right to drive 45 in a 25 MPH zone
2006-10-20 13:23:48 · answer #9 · answered by mariner31 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This is a tough one. It can help with accidents. It can help deter running red lights.
The downside is the government is watching everyone. I do not trust them. Also, you have due process issues. Sometimes, you cannot slow down in time to stop at a yellow light. At times, you run a red. Automatically giving a ticket for this is trying to make a grey area into a black and white issue.
2006-10-20 12:43:18 · answer #10 · answered by Chainsaw 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋