Red light cameras...

[Moliere]

Houston's red light cameras are officially on beginning August 1.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/28463406/detail.html

I'm a bit torn on this issue as I don't think having a camera posted on a pole and taking pictures of people that run red lights as a violation of any real rights. What's the difference between a ticket being issued because a police officer saw you run a red light while he was sitting in his car or while he is looking at a picture of you running the light? But something inside of me doesn't like this. Maybe it's my love of the movie "minority report" that scares me....

[Donuthole]

Houston's red light cameras are officially on beginning August 1.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/28463406/detail.html

I'm a bit torn on this issue as I don't think having a camera posted on a pole and taking pictures of people that run red lights as a violation of any real rights. What's the difference between a ticket being issued because a police officer saw you run a red light while he was sitting in his car or while he is looking at a picture of you running the light? But something inside of me doesn't like this. Maybe it's my love of the movie "minority report" that scares me....

Service of process is usually the issue. Let's see if they last as long or longer than the traffic cams lasted in Phoenix. (Or maybe those were just for speeding. I can't remember.)

[Uncle Ted]

Houston's red light cameras are officially on beginning August 1.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/28463406/detail.html

I'm a bit torn on this issue as I don't think having a camera posted on a pole and taking pictures of people that run red lights as a violation of any real rights. What's the difference between a ticket being issued because a police officer saw you run a red light while he was sitting in his car or while he is looking at a picture of you running the light? But something inside of me doesn't like this. Maybe it's my love of the movie "minority report" that scares me....

We have had these for a while. In fact, I live within 500 yards or so from one. The difference between a policeman giving the ticket and these is that with the camera is a fine only. Nothing goes on your driving record. Given that my kids sometimes cross that intersection on foot I kind of like the idea of "big brother" watching things.

If you have an iPhone the trapster app is your friend.

[Moliere]

We have had these for a while. In fact, I live within 500 yards or so from one. The difference between a policeman giving the ticket and these is that with the camera is a fine only. Nothing goes on your driving record. Given that my kids sometimes cross that intersection on foot I kind of like the idea of "big brother" watching things.

If you have an iPhone the trapster app is your friend.

Good to know, I'll check out the app. I'm outside the actual city of Houston, but I commute in so I'll have to be wary.

I do think that ultimately these cameras will make the intersections safer. There are so many people around here that floor the gas pedal when the light turns yellow, even when they clearly could have stopped. In fact, I've had people swerve around me and speed through a light when I made a typical (not rushed) stop. They of course go through the light as it turns green in teh other direction.

[Katy Lied]

For the ones in California, paying the fine is voluntary. The ticket that comes in the mail looks official but won't stand up to legal scrutiny. You're a dumbass if you pay it.

[Babs]

I do think that ultimately these cameras will make the intersections safer.

That's what the record has indicated since they installed them here.

[scottie]

If you have an iPhone the trapster app is your friend.

From Trapster's website:

Police departments around the United States are working with Trapster by entering their own enforcement points and road hazards. A police badge icon will appear letting you know it was entered by an official police department.

Sure.

[pellegrino]

For the ones in California, paying the fine is voluntary. The ticket that comes in the mail looks official but won't stand up to legal scrutiny. You're a dumbass if you pay it.

how do you get out of it then?

[Babs]

For the ones in California, paying the fine is voluntary. You're a dumbass if you pay it.

Is there a statewide system? I would have thought it would vary by municipality.

[Joe Public]

For the ones in California, paying the fine is voluntary. The ticket that comes in the mail looks official but won't stand up to legal scrutiny. You're a dumbass if you pay it.

That's not entirely accurate.

[pellegrino]

That's not entirely accurate.

so you paid one and you're disputing that you're not a dumass?

[Paperback Writer]

I'm kind of divided on the issue. I think they make intersections safer but it also takes out "human reasoning" in the process. For example, running a red light for a medical emergency will result in a ticket when only patrolled by a camera while a policeman would at least make a judgement call. Something like this happened to my son while following a friend in a car ahead of him. The lead car went through the intersection on Yellow and my son when through on Red. It was around midnight and there was no traffic and my kid had to follow someone since he was in an unfamiliar part of town (and a really bad part of town to get lost in). Santa gave him a Tom Tom for Christmas.

[Slim]

If there is a medical emergency I would rather get the ticket and not be stopped than be stopped and waste time explaining the situation to the cops. Also, I dislike traffic cops (generally) and don't trust their judgment.

[Marvin Hardtospell]

Los Angeles cancelled its red light camera program as of July 31st.

[il Padrino Ute]

For the ones in California, paying the fine is voluntary. The ticket that comes in the mail looks official but won't stand up to legal scrutiny. You're a dumbass if you pay it.