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City plan: double red-light cameras

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Started 1 year ago by deraj1013
Latest reply from Walker

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deraj1013
Merion Village
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From the Columbus Dispatch...

City plan: double red-light cameras

But new, existing devices wonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be used on speeders

By Robert Vitale

Red-light cameras would go up at twice as many Columbus intersections and two portable camera units would be used to catch school-zone speeders under a plan headed to the City Council.

But the plan does not call for modifying the 20 current red-light cameras to catch motorists who drive too fast, Department of Public Safety officials said yesterday. They don't plan to add that capability to the 20 red-light cameras that would be added under the proposal, either.

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Any opinions on this topic?

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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You know what - I know there are tons of folks who are just opposed to the red-light cameras. And I get it, I do - the liberty aspect, the watchiness of the police force at all times, etc.

But, I live just off an intersection with a red light camera - an intersection where I would literally wait until I saw every car stop in the crossing traffic before I would proceed, as there were SO many red-light runs. Since they installed the camera/flashie light, I've seen maybe 3 red light runs in 6 months - and they used to be multiple per week.

Posted 1 year ago #
deraj1013
Merion Village
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It's definitely one of those issues where I can see both sides. However, I agree that I see more benefit to adding cameras than to eliminating them. But I'm undecided on the issue as a whole.

Posted 1 year ago #
Muswell Hillbilly
Hellbranch run/Pleasant Corners
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Twixlen wrote >>
You know what - I know there are tons of folks who are just opposed to the red-light cameras. And I get it, I do - the liberty aspect, the watchiness of the police force at all times, etc.
But, I live just off an intersection with a red light camera - an intersection where I would literally wait until I saw every car stop in the crossing traffic before I would proceed, as there were SO many red-light runs. Since they installed the camera/flashie light, I've seen maybe 3 red light runs in 6 months - and they used to be multiple per week.

This is not Kindergarten!!!! There will always be people who run lights, don't use turn signals, and fiddle around with whatever other distracting modern tool causing accidents and frustration. This does not mean that everyone should have to sweat everytime they see a red light camera sign. Columbus should put it to a vote at the least. I don't want to live in Heath or Toledo but am proud that they rejected these automated monitoring devices. Although I have not seen statistics to back it up I'm sure there are more rear-end collisions at these intersections. It seems everytime someone abuses a drug, misuses a microwave, spills coffee on themselves or any other random incident you can think of a law is made that impedes on everyone else's life. I hope someone spray paints over every single one of them. Cut the Cord!!!!

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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@Muswell Hillbilly - The problem is that it IS Kindergarten. People DO allow themselves to be distracted in a whole host of ways - and if it takes the teacher smacking your hand with the ruler to keep you in line, that's what it takes.

Where I live, it wasn't the case of people being "distracted" - the speed limit is 35 and lots and lots of folks were going 45++. In fact, on the weekend, in the summer, they would drag through this particular intersection - something I hear MUCH less of these days, thank goodness.

People don't want to be accountable for their own actions - it's an epidemic.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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speed cameras -> hell NO

red light cameras -> necessary evil

Posted 1 year ago #
drew

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lifeliberty wrote >>
speed cameras -> hell NO
red light cameras -> necessary evil

Red light cameras are a gateway drug.

Posted 1 year ago #
gramarye
In Exile
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That's like saying caffeine is a gateway drug for crystal meth.

Posted 1 year ago #
Muswell Hillbilly
Hellbranch run/Pleasant Corners
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Twixlen wrote >>
@Muswell Hillbilly - The problem is that is IS Kindergarten. People DO allow themselves to be distracted in a whole host of ways - and if it takes the teacher smacking your hand with the ruler to keep you in line, that's what it takes.
Where I live, it wasn't the case of people being "distracted" - the speed limit is 35 and lots and lots of folks were going 45++. In fact, on the weekend, in the summer, they would drag through this particular intersection - something I hear MUCH less of these days, thank goodness.
People don't want to be accountable for their own actions - it's an epidemic.

I know its nice for you. However, cameras are not the solution. There are many responsible drivers who get nailed by these machines. It is a machine monitoring your actions that is the problem. They are an unwelcome invasion of privacy and unable do be discerning. Only a human monitoring these intersections live in person with full view of the surroundings that the camera cannot see can rightfully determine if the driver has committed a violation. This is a bandage that will lead to other bandages until everyone is wrapped up like a bunch of obedient mummies.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
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I think it's pretty clear that if you cross a line after the light turns red then you violated the law. You don't need an officer present to determine this, a camera will work just fine. I'm not advocating this so that cameras can be applied to all actions, just red light offenses. and to say no one is reviewing this is misleading as well, you can contest the tickets. if you have such a great reason as to why to ran a red light then contest it, but I don't see any non-emergency situations as necessary. As a motorcyclist, red light runners are scum.

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Agreed lifeliberty --- I actually think that the red light camera does a better job of catching the infraction than human eyes. My coworker got such a violation, and she could see the photos online - it was pretty damn clear that she was driving the car and that she was thru the intersection and the light was red. Busted.

Seems pretty simple - just don't run red lights.

Posted 1 year ago #
gramarye
In Exile
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Muswell Hillbilly wrote >>

Twixlen wrote >>
@Muswell Hillbilly - The problem is that is IS Kindergarten. People DO allow themselves to be distracted in a whole host of ways - and if it takes the teacher smacking your hand with the ruler to keep you in line, that's what it takes.
Where I live, it wasn't the case of people being "distracted" - the speed limit is 35 and lots and lots of folks were going 45++. In fact, on the weekend, in the summer, they would drag through this particular intersection - something I hear MUCH less of these days, thank goodness.
People don't want to be accountable for their own actions - it's an epidemic.

I know its nice for you. However, cameras are not the solution. There are many responsible drivers who get nailed by these machines. It is a machine monitoring your actions that is the problem. They are an unwelcome invasion of privacy and unable do be discerning. Only a human monitoring these intersections live in person with full view of the surroundings that the camera cannot see can rightfully determine if the driver has committed a violation. This is a bandage that will lead to other bandages until everyone is wrapped up like a bunch of obedient mummies.

Um, so you have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the middle of a city intersection?

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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and FYI, I'm not so much 'For the cameras' as I am 'not opposed to them'

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Muswell Hillbilly wrote >>
There are many responsible drivers who get nailed by these machines.

If there is some sort of mistake, you can appeal the ticket and get out of it.

Posted 1 year ago #
coolbuckeye
South Clintonville
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Im for the red light cameras being in the areas of most accidents resulting from people running red lights. I'm not crazy about the new tools that scan your licence plates.

Posted 1 year ago #
BreakfastwithNick
Clintonville
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Privacy issues aside, I'm generally opposed to these cameras. I know that they do decrease red light runners, but I seem to remember somewhere on CU a study that was posted showing how these cameras actually cause more accidents, because people speed up to miss the light or slam on their brakes to avoid it. The better solution for safety, I remember reading, is to create a longer delay between the red light coming on and the green light going for the opposite direction. Granted, this doesn't address the issue of people running red lights, but I feel like I've seen myself (and others) become more apprehensive drivers around these red lights.

Other thoughts?

Posted 1 year ago #
Muswell Hillbilly
Hellbranch run/Pleasant Corners
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Wow! Personally I've haven't had a traffic violation in 8 years and it wasn't for running a red light. I feel that people are being a little to accepting of these devices. I don't expect entire privacy in the middle of city but hasn't anyone ever stopped to think about the drawbacks. Look what happend in Heath when they started ticketing the weekend before they were supposed to. What a mess! I know the money was refunded but still what a waste of time. In response to Walker, sure you can protest it, but why should one have to waste their time. Does anyone on this messageboard see the power that is being exerted here. Please speak up.

Posted 1 year ago #
pedex

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what was the figure in the dispatch a few weeks ago? something like $1.3 million dollar problem in collecting the fines if I recall correctly

as I recall it gets referred to collection agencies too, I kinda wonder why it doesn't go the normal route of refusing re-registration of the vehicle until the fine is paid?

just curious

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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Nick, yeah, I agree with you that I am more apprehensive around them, but I've found that the yellow light seems to be on longer so if you are going to correct speed for the light you will have time to stop. as for a longer delay between red and green, I'm for that as well, it works pretty effectivly from what I've seen at Weber and indianola.

The problem in Heath was because of the speed cameras, which I am against.

Posted 1 year ago #
Pablo
Crestview Addition
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Photoblocker spray - does it really work?

http://www.phantomplate.com/

Posted 1 year ago #