Ravenwood - 02/09/04 06:15 AM
Traffic "safety" cameras may be nearing extinction in Virginia, reports the Washington Times. The move will probably be welcomed by just about everyone except the cash greedy politicians (Va. Gov. Warner included) and the nanny crowd that seems to think anyone with a smile on their face must be up to no good.
A committee in the Virginia House of Delegates has killed a bill that would have expanded red-light traffic cameras statewide. The Virginia Senate, which passed the pro-traffic-camera bill that the House rejected, has also voted to extend pilot programs that allow traffic cameras in some areas. The test cases are set to expire next year. If the House rejects the extension bill, traffic cameras will be banished from the Old Dominion.Lets hope the House lets the cameras wither on the vine and die. They've never been about safety any way.
If you don't want to get a ticket for running red lights, don't run red lights.
Remember, when the light is red it's our turn, not yours.
BTW, 6 months in traction is way more unfair than a fine.
Teen: Life's unfair!
Dad: Then don't piss life off.
Posted by: Alan Kellogg at February 11, 2004 3:04 AMActually, I don't run red lights. The problem is that red light cameras are not about safety, they are about money.
The best way to improve safety at lights is to increase the length of the yellow. This creates a longer "dilema zone". Instead, municipalities are installing cameras, and in some cases shortening the yellow to maximize revenue. Also, red light cameras tend to encourage people to slam on their brakes which increases rear end collisions at red lights. That is something that politicians have been trying to sweep under the rug.
Posted by: Ravenwood at February 11, 2004 7:22 AM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
