War On Driving

Washington Times - Beltway Catches on to Camera Scam

Mon, 28 May 2012 21:16:24 -0700

The Washington Times wrote an editorial today about public perception when it comes to fraudulent red light cameras and photo radar systems.

These mechanical money snatchers have been hated worldwide since their proliferation began, but around the Washington D.C. beltway, they’re beginning to be exposed as a revenue scheme just as they have in the testing ground cities like Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

[read article]

Missouri Candidate for Attorney General Comes Out Against Red Light Cameras

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:57:42 -0700

Ed Martin, who is running for AG in the state of Missouri has a strong anti-camera stance and calls camera supporting politicians exactly what they are, “pay-to-play” cronies.

The video speaks for itself and bravo to Ed Martin for standing up to the scamera mafia in the Show-me state.

Arizona Legislature Passes Intersection Definition Bill

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:32:00 -0700

In an effort to chip away at the incredible amount of profit that Redflex Traffic Systems and American Traffic Solutions skim from motorists, cities and courts in Arizona, legislature has sent a bill to governor Jan Brewer that would rid the state of imaginary red lines inside the stop bar of a crosswalk that are used to justify 100,000s of illegal red light camera tickets.

[The diagram above represents the new definition of an intersection (red) in Arizona, if Governor Brewer signs HB 2557]

That’s the good news. The bad news is that it won’t take effect until 2014 and may not ever need to be enacted, considering the political pressure mounting every year for the state to make photo ticketing illegal outright.

In fact, legislation which has been introduced in the last two sessions which would ban photo ticketing will be introduced again in the Summer 2012 legislative season, according to various opponents of the system and activists who have been fighting for to outlaw it since 2008.

The Republican dominated senate had the final say yesterday on sending this bill, which had been modified several times, to the governor.

Nanny-state stalwart, Linda Gray, who admitted earlier in the session to voting against a ballot measure to ban photo ticketing because an email from an activist in the CameraFRAUD group to Senator Adam Driggs upset her after reading it.

Also voting against the bill from the Republican side was Jerry Lewis, no not that one, who feigns ignorance about the dangerous conditions caused by installation of speed and red light cameras, but then continues to vote in favor of them each time.

If anything, this bill is a litmus test of where the governor stands on the issue and will further the debate about the eventual ban of the system in Arizona. Motorists across the state and those who come to visit can’t wait to see the system scrapped in favor of proper signal timing and careful engineering at intersections.

The question now is will Brewer sign it or cave to the pressure of her transition team manager and Redflex honk, Jay Heiler.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against City of Chicago for Red Light Camera Scam

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:46:00 -0700

After years of being scammed out of money, while being forced to drive through intersections with a combination of sub 3 second yellow light times and flashing metal boxes, a couple Chicago residents have filed what could be an incredibly massive class action lawsuit against the city.

The suit alleges that for at least three years, from 2003 to 2006, the city operated the red light camera system without a valid ordinance to legalize it, meaning that more than $100 Million in fines may have to be refunded to all the motorists who were scammed by the city and Redflex Traffic Systems.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has worked directly for a lobbyist firm, Resolute Consulting LLC, that has Redflex as a client. The mayor could have some pretty upset pals over at Resolute, including Greg Goldner who is also in line for huge profits if Emanuels speed camera scheme is enacted.

Also on Wednesday, Chicago’s city council approved of the speed cameras that Emanuel spent the entire Fall session of Illinois state legislature bullying political foes and allies into passing.

The new speed cameras wouldn’t necessarily be affected by the suit even though the plaintiffs are stating the entire red light program is illegal, regardless of the 2006 camera ticketing ordinance that was passed through city council.

This is a complicated situation indeed, but hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake, so the red light scammers from Redflex simply cannot afford to back down.

Chicago really does have contempt for motorists and it’s surprising that it’s taken this long for them to fight back. Even in the above news video, the yellow light is clearly less than 3 seconds, which is not only below Federal standards, but is extremely dangerous.

You have to hand it to Chicago and Redflex, they’ve pulled off quite a scam, right in plain sight, for almost a decade.

Iowa House Votes to Ban Traffic Cameras

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:59:00 -0700

With nearly 60% of the House members in Iowa legislature voting to ban photo ticketing, yesterday, House File 2540 passed after a brief delay before the vote.

Iowans haven’t been shy in their desire to rid themselves of these automated ticketing machines that now litter their highways, as well as intersections. After some House members had tried to kill the bill before a vote, voters reached out to Speaker Paulsen, who brought it back to the floor, when some had called the bill dead.

Clearly, the pressure got to him. Quoted from RadioIowa.com on March 31st:

“The problem is, well, how are these going to develop over time and experience in other states tell us that instead of a focus on public safety, it will turn into a focus on money, so it seems to me that we ought to be able to provide some regulatory framework for them to operate in,” Paulsen says. “But if we can’t do that, I’m not interested in leaving an unfettered, I guess culture of surveillance or government surveillance out there. I don’t think that’s acceptable either.”

The numerous violations of constitutional rights weren’t mentioned in his reasons for resurrecting the legislation, but the money factor obviously played a heavy role. With last night’s vote, Paulsen undoubtedly feels much better about his reelection prospects.

As it turns out, this is a fairly partisan issue in Iowa legislature, with the Republicans voting against the cameras and a vast majority of Dems voting to keep them.

Credit goes to Rep Walt Rogers, (R)-Cedar Falls, for sticking with this bill while it lost some momentum after the early proceedings. Rogers echoed the sentiments of voters, who have banned photo ticketing every chance they’ve had, no matter what state or city has given them the chance to vote on the system.

Rogers was quoted in Quad City Times:

Rogers said he has spoken with several people as he worked on the legislation over the last few months and a common thread to all those conversations was a single word.

“That word was ‘hate.’ ‘Hate’ in the sense that people hate these things,” Rogers said. He said the safety data from the cameras was “conflicting at best; at worst, it’s misleading.”

More on yesterday’s proceedings on this vote can be found in The Sioux City Journal. [link]

Now that House members in Iowa have all gone on record, it’s time for the Senate to do the same, but there are no guarantees that a floor vote will happen.

If there was ever a time to put the pressure on your legislators to get rid of these cameras, now is the time Iowa.

More info on Iowa legislature and contact info can be found here [link].

Des Moines Automated Ticketing Machine

Will AZ Ditch "Imaginary" Lines in Intersections?

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:57:00 -0700

Arizona has long been an easy target for flashing bandits installed by Redflex and American Traffic Solutions (ATS). One of the chief reasons for this is that those two private (foreign - Redflex) vendors get to make up almost all the rules, including where an intersection starts.

Arizona is one of only two states who don’t clearly define an intersection and it leads to a lot of dangerous practices by both Redflex and ATS, such as painting confusing “imaginary” lines in intersections.

The city of Tucson is one of the worst offenders in this category and has even been reprimanded by the Federal Highway Administration for illegal intersection lines.

The East Valley Tribune’s article points out that intersection lines could be clearly defined, if new legislation passes in the form of HB 2557, which is working its way through state legislature.

The article also points out that since Tempe, AZ has ditched their photo ticketing program, accidents have dropped. Maybe Arizona will join the rest of the country in defining just where an intersection starts instead of leaving that up to the scamera profiteers, just as they typically do with all their traffic laws in the last decade.

[READ MORE]

Washington Times Editorial: DC Red Light Scam

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:00:00 -0700

The Washington Times has just published an editorial about massive proposed increases in scamera ticketing in D.C. by the district’s mayor, Vincent C. Gray.

Gray is making no secret that the only reason for this move is to close a massive budget shortfall, to the tune of $172 Million. As we know, in the end, the only one to really profit will be American Traffic Solutions who will undoubtedly leave the district high and dry, citizens angry and promised revenues missing from the public coffers.

As accurately pointed out in this editorial, there is only so much these money grubbers can squeeze out of the motoring public, no matter how many traps they set out:

As experience has shown with the failed photo ticketing programs in Los Angeles and Houston, there’s only so much that drivers will take before they simply stop paying the citations.

[READ MORE]

Arlington Virginia to Expand Red Light Surveillance Scheme

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:49:14 -0700

With all the government contractors slithering around in the state of Virginia, you’d think the red light camera proliferation would be much wider than it is.

They are about to get a hot injection of fraud in up to 20 intersections.

The video from WJLA.com explains the public stance by the PD and County, but what’s missed here is that there are many other solutions to a high volume of accidents and/or violations. “Enforcement,” either by police or unmanned spy cameras is no substitute for proper traffic engineering.

At least the public is now aware that the contractor, Redflex, will take home the majority of profits from the new and enhanced photo ticket scheme.

The intersection mentioned almost definitely has poor signal timing if police enforcement hasn’t quelled the problem.

There’s no way to know without examining Gleib Rd and Washington Blvd and recording the details of yellow light intervals with a timer and video camera.

Since county officials and PD have refused to turn the matter over to city traffic engineers, it’s time for citizens to take that matter in to their own hands.

AZ Republic: Redflex & El Mirage Commit Fraud

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:17:25 -0700

A notoriously pro traffic camera newspaper in Arizona has done a 180 and actually investigated Redflex Traffic Systems operation in the city of El Mirage.

Emails between the police department, Judge Mapp and Mayor Mook paint a Mayberry-like scenario of law enforcement in El Mirage. And it appears that the part of Barney Fife was mostly played by the town’s Judge, James Mapp.

Here are a few of our favorite lies listed in the article, with El Mirage spin:

Lie #1

“It was one of those things that we just didn’t realize how big of a problem it was and how many people it affected,” Mapp said. “It could just be that we get busy and we forget to follow through on things.” -Judge James Mapp

Lie #2

“The photo radar has never been, in my estimation, something that the city instituted to make money.” -Mayor Lana Mook

Lie #3

Mapp said Friday that he was unaware of any outstanding refunds for red-light tickets until he was contacted by The Republic. He said the remaining refunds are being researched and likely will be paid within the next few weeks.

After making the news, just as predicted by the police chief after learning of the AZ Repub’s public record request, the last part about refunds being issued within the next few weeks may end up being true.

We’ll follow this story to its conclusion. The clock is ticking for El Mirage. They’d better have those refunds out by early April, or they’ll have some more explaining to do.

Source: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/03/08/20120308el-mirage-traffic-cam-fines.html

Redflex Holds Albuquerque Hostage Over $13 Million in Unpaid...

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:17:00 -0700

Redflex Holds Albuquerque Hostage Over $13 Million in Unpaid Tickets

Source: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/politics/city-hit-with-big-bill-from-redflex

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The company that owned and operated Albuquerque’s red light cameras just hit the city with a bill for $4.5 million.

If you thought the controversy would die when the red light cameras were killed, think again.

”Redflex says their percentage of the outstanding amount comes to $4 million we’re looking at the accounting issues,” said Assistant City Attorney Greg Wheeler.

Earlier this month, the city received a demand letter from Redflex.

The letter said the city of Albuquerque owes the Phoenix-based red light camera company $4.5 million.

Redflex said that is it’s cut of the roughly $13 million in unpaid tickets from the past four years.

“Council is asking us to look at what their options are to deal with that claim and also to collect the past due fines,” Wheeler said.

Under the old contract, Redflex was responsible for collecting the red light camera fines.

However, that contract was terminated.

The city attorney’s office said it’s now up to the city council to decide how to go about collecting the outstanding fines.

“They could send these to outside collection agencies other than Redflex, they could consider having legal file lawsuits for some of the largest outstanding amounts in court,” said Wheeler.

The city said even though it has yet to work out exactly how it will collect on those unpaid red light camera tickets, it is required to go after them.

“As a matter of state law we can’t just let those people go, so there will be a collection effort, the problems not going to go away,” Wheeler said.

The city is disputing Redflex’s $4.5-million claim.

Saying among other things it is not realistic to expect everyone who has not paid up, to suddenly pay now.

If the city collects the $13 million in outstanding fines, it would split its cut 50-50 with the state.

People with unpaid tickets more than four years old are in the clear, because the statute of limitations on them has run out.

STL Photo Tickets Ruled Unconstitutional - Pay or Don’t...

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:15:00 -0700

STL Photo Tickets Ruled Unconstitutional - Pay or Don’t Pay?

(KTVI) Should you pay a $100 red light camera ticket in the City of St. Louis? Last week, St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Mark Neill officially struck down St. Louis’ red-light camera ordinance, calling it unconstitutional. Here’s the odd part: the city’s Counselor Patti Hageman says it will continue to enforce the ordinance even though it’s been declared unconstitutional.

Attorney Chet Pleban who is not a fan of the red light cameras weighs in on the discussion

Time Magazine Features Citizen Backlash Against Ticket Cameras

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:44:00 -0700

Mentioned in the piece are the CameraFRAUD meetup group in Phoenix, AZ and National Motorists Association.

Read entire article at moneyland.time.com

Photo Radar and Red Light Camera Ban Passes Arizona Senate...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:59:00 -0700

Photo Radar and Red Light Camera Ban Passes Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee

Arizonans have been wanting a vote on photo ticketing in overwhelming numbers since 2008. State legislature has another chance to send it to the voters in 2012. Will they honor their constituency?

Have you ever received a camera ticket in Arizona, even if you’re from out of state? Did you know that you don’t have to pay it?

The system is rife with flaws, controversy and outright fraud. Arizona voters hope 2012 is the year they finally put a stop to the system.

Arizona State Senators have requested to hear from both Arizona voters and tourists who have received camera tickets.

Contact them [here]

Arizona Gets Another Chance to Ban the Cameras

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:31:00 -0700

The Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee met yesterday and the main item discussed was SCR 1029, which would give the citizens of Arizona that elusive vote they’ve been screaming from the rooftops for years to get.

The Committee passed the measure by a 4-1 vote and sent it to the Senate floor, where it should be voted on. Although, that’s not a done deal.

By 2008, the majority of AZ motorists had grown tired of being treated like lab rats, by then Spy-in-Chief (and Governor) Janet “Big Sis” Napolitano and her Redflex-sponsored peep show aka the freeway speed cameras.

After setting up this unprecedented violation of every sacred right that motorists have been guaranteed by the US and Arizona Constitutions, turning the freeway system into a cluster… disaster area, she blew out of town to become head of DHS, where she now is able to scan and grope just about anyone passing through an airport without any reasonable suspicion.

It’s clear that motorists and travelers don’t enjoy having their liberties violated for the profit of private and sometimes foreign (Redflex) contractors while complicit government agencies make up stories about safety being their concern.

It doesn’t take a traffic engineer to figure out that adding more distractions in the form of flashing camera boxes and tinkering with signal timing to make sure “violations” remain in the profitable range, actually makes intersections more dangerous.

But, just in case one needed the latest result of independent, university studies, here’s USF blasting camera systems to bits as the dangerous boondoggle they are. [link]

Getting back to the situation unfolding in AZ, this is no done deal. The same SCR (Senate Resolution) passed with a 20-10 vote and then was sat on by the rapidly expanding posterior of then Speaker of the House, Kirk Adams (RINO) who is now running for U.S. Congress.

The resolution died an unceremonious death, but with Adams out of the way, there is new hope for Arizona.

Taking it one step at a time, however, SCR 1029 needs to have that floor vote, which is a great bet to pass. Then House members like Michelle Ugenti (R), who is very much in favor of the citizens vote to ban camera systems will be heavily urged to push this measure to a house floor vote as well.

That’s an oversimplification of the legislative process to be sure, but the conclusion for today is that SCR 1029 is off to a good start.

Arizonans, let’s make sure that floor vote happens in the Senate at rapid-fire pace.

Below is a document with contact info that can also be found at the AZ Senate website.

[Contact Arizona Senators]

Let those elected officials know just how excited AZ is to kick Redflex and ATS off your streets and intersections for good!

Red Light Cameras in California Taking Major Heat

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:21:00 -0700

Even after American Traffic Solutions was expelled from the city limits of Los Angeles this summer, red light cameras are still a hot topic of conversation in the Golden State.

SFGate.com, which is the online version of The San Francisco Chronicle, posted an article this week about just how much of a revenue generator dangerous red light cameras are for municipalities in California who still use the system.

Many communities in the state have ditched their camera programs when the alleged safety benefit is never realized, the tickets become impossible to collect on and the public revolts.

TheNewspaper.com is also getting some nice recognition for the wealth of facts and figures available on their site and the alternative perspective from the soundbite info given out by local network news.

InfoWars, which has a higher Alexa rating than MSNBC.com, also covered the topic:

A Different Kind of Mile High Salute - Denver Photo Radar...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:34:00 -0700

A Different Kind of Mile High Salute - Denver Photo Radar Protest

A Denver motorist correctly points out that photo radar tickets are unenforceable, which is why he tripped the radar on purpose while giving the camera an obscene gesture.

“Democracy is messy process. Sometimes you have to engage in a little civil disobedience. You have to be a little vulgar to get your point across,” says Daniel, who was photographed by an Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) van.

Daniel is correct about democracy, but unfortunately, Denver motorists were never given a vote on the matter of photo radar because the politicians and bureaucrats know that this dangerous system is also wildly unpopular.

Chicago Police State Speed Camera Bill Signed Into Law; Gov Quinn Capitulates to Rahm Emanuel

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:21:00 -0700

Rahm Emanuel’s plan to turn Chicago into a network of spy cameras and turn his back on motorists and taxpayers just got a major boost today from Governor Pat Quinn.

Even though the so-called “Speed Camera Retrofitting” bill was opposed by major media outlets in Chicago and 9 out of 10 Illinois residents [report], Quinn retreated from pressure by Emanuel and signed the bill into law.

The 190 red light cameras in Chicago have all been authorized to be “upgraded” to also issue photo tickets based on speed. In a city with multiple intersections that have 2.5 second yellow light times, dangerously below federal minimum standards, don’t be surprised to see speed limits lowered or changed to confuse drivers in order to drive up revenue.

The new law also allows each municipality to set whatever guidelines they choose for what constitutes a speed violation, meaning that going 46 MPH in a 45 zone could get you a $100.00 fine, depending on where you’re being video-recorded by Redflex cameras.

In addition to the upgraded combo cameras, this law also allows for new speed cameras and mobile vans to be deployed, which could quickly turn 70% of the city into a surveillance zone, according to the text of the bill.

Mayor Emanuel is calling them “safety zones,” but what’s safe about expanding the operation of a company, Redflex, best known for fraud, employees driving their vans under the influence of alcohol, child pornography, unsafe workplaces and ignoring their own citations?

Governor Pat Quinn will quickly realize his mistake, but it will probably take at least a couple years to reverse course, as it did in Arizona, if the cameras start to be installed and retrofitted.

IL Governor Pat Quinn looks up at his new master, the speed camera.

Red Light Camera Ban Passes Committee Vote in Iowa

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:57:39 -0700

February 3rd, 2012

The law that would make photo enforcement illegal easily passed through the Iowa House of Representatives yesterday and appears headed for a floor vote in the full session.

Supporters of the camera ban are being urged to call members of the House and push it to the floor immediately.

Contacts -

House of Reps List

The Truth Behind Red Light Cameras: Part 2

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:54:56 -0700

By Gina Williams

The Accident “Conspiracy”

Red Light Cameras (RLCs) are supposed to prevent accidents. However, according to various studies, RLCs actually cause harmful accidents and it isn’t all that surprising.

It makes sense that when people see a yellow light that they’ll slam on their brakes out of fear of being ticketed because they know they’re being watched; given the same situation with no camera, the same people would go through the yellow light.

After all, yellow lights don’t mean stop, they mean “caution” because a red light is approaching.

Flawed Studies and Conflicts of Interest

Two extremely biased and thoroughly debunked studies are usually cited as proof that there is some type of safety benefit associated with the use of RLCs.

The first is a 2005 Federal Highway Administration (FHA) study which gives red light cameras credit for a decrease right-angle crashes. However, this report made that conclusions based on only 7 jurisdictions which combined have less cameras than the Houston, TX area.

According to photoenforced.com which hosts a database of all RLCs and speed cameras in the U.S., 1,300 cities use RLCs; given this, the sample size that the FHA used to conduct its study was entirely too small to truly represent RLCs effects sufficiently.

Additionally, said study has been criticized due to conflicts of interest, as well as methodical and analytical flaws in their research and findings. Its co-directors conducted research for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in the past, meaning that the FHA and IIHS financial ties to each other.

IIHS is a private company that represents the auto insurance industry which has continuously raised rates based on photo ticketing data as that system proliferated during the last decade. See this report for extended details on the FHA’s study’s methodical and analytics flaws.

The other report that’s usually referred to by companies like Redflex and American Traffic Solutions was conducted by the IIHS themselves. Not only was their data almost completely irrelevant in some cases, but a recent report shows the IIHS study, when reviewed by peers shows an increase in fatalities at red light camera intersections.

Other Studies Suggest An Increase in Accidents

On the other hand, studies conducted by various Departments of Transportation, universities, and media outlets contradict the above study and others.

According to a 2004 North Carolina A & T University study that examined 17,271 crashes, “When analyzing total crashes…RLCs have a statistically significant (p<0.001) and large (40% increase) effect on accident rates.”

According to a 2005 Virginia Department of Transportation funded study, in Virginia, RLCs decrease the number of right-angle crashes with injuries. However, they also lead to an increase in rear-end crashes and the number of overall crashes resulting in injuries. This study was based on an 18 month study of 7 jurisdictions in Virginia. Unlike the FHA study above, this study was applied only to Virginia.

Given the funds these RLCs generate for governments, especially in an economy experiencing financial problems, it is difficult to take government studies that support RLCs seriously. It’s in their interest to continue the programs, and in order to continue them, the programs must be justified to the public; thus “studies” proving RLCs effectiveness are conducted and released to the public.

Gina Williams is a guest post and article writer bringing to us information on RLCs. Gina also writes about motorcycle accident statistics

The Truth Behind the Camera: Part 1

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:05:46 -0700

by Gina Williams

In the early 1990s red light cameras (RLCs) began to be used in the United States. Almost 22 years later, 26 states and Washington DC have implemented these cameras in various major cities.

RLCs are supposed to prevent deadly accidents by making people think twice before gunning it through a yellow light, or blatantly running a red light. Their proposed purpose and their actual purpose, however, are two different things entirely.

Looking at government conducted or funded studies will lead readers to believe that RLCs work. Digging a bit deeper, however, leads to a different conclusion for two reasons. First, studies demonstrate that RLCs are associated with increased accident rates at intersections.

Second, the private companies running the red light programs and our government have a vested interest in ticketing people; they want people to run red lights because they make money from it, and a ton of money at that.

Sadly, the steps both entities have taken to ensure their own financial benefits pose safety threats to citizens.

Why They Want Us To Run Red Lights

How Things Seem

Here is how RLC programs generally work: Private companies are contracted by local municipalities to install camera surveillance systems. If someone runs a red light, multiple pictures are taken of their vehicle. The pictures are later “inspected” by a law enforcement official; if it is deemed that the citizen ran the red light, they are sent a ticket in the mail.

Sounds straight forward, right? People who break the law are ticketed and others that would break the law think twice. Lives are saved. World peace is probably achieved somewhere in there as well.

How Things Are

Remember how people always say that nothing is ever as it seems? That’s the case here. It seems like our government is trying to protect us, but like everything else in life, the government’s motives are based on financial gain.

Contracted, private companies, such as Redflex, American Traffic Solutions, and Affiliated Computer Services, actually have quota clauses written in their contracts with municipalities; as a result of that and the desire for financial gain, municipalities gladly take actions that encourage motorists to run red lights.

According to The Atlantic Cities, “The problem [with RLCs] is that many of the contracts signed with these companies force cities to commit to standards that encourage the running of red lights. Some of the contracts, written by the companies themselves and later signed by municipal governments, require each camera to record a certain number of red light-runners every year and for police departments to issue a minimum number of tickets.

The companies, after all, have a fiscal incentive to have as many people as possible move through the intersection illegally, since they usually pocket a percentage of the ticket fee.” Municipalities obviously have a fiscal incentive for people to run red lights as well.

After enduring the initial costs associated with the cameras, every fine they receive for a red light violator is money in the government’s pocket; after all, it’s not like they’ve hired a police officer to sit at every traffic light to ticket red light violators.

The Dirty Truth – An Example of Governmental Actions that Harm Citizens

A 2004 Texas Transportation Institute study found that, “An increase in yellow duration of 1.0 seconds is associated with a [crash frequency] of about 0.6, which corresponds to a 40 percent reduction in crashes.”

Despite this, many municipalities’ yellow lights are actually shorter than what this study and others recommend; this obviously puts citizens in a situation where their chances of an accident are higher than they could be.

In 2008 alone, thenewspaper.com reported that multiple cameras in the following cities were caught purposely imposing short yellow lights in an effort to boost their earnings from RLCs:

· Chattanooga, Tennessee

· Dallas, Texas

· Springfield, Missouri

· Lubbock, Texas

· Nashville, Tennessee

· Union City, California

And these are only a few of the cities that have been identified for engaging in these types of activities.

The bottom line is this: Governments have a financial interest in ticketing people and have the full power to manipulate traffic lights to ensure that people get tickets.

Gina Williams is a guest post and article writer bringing to us an examination on how RLC’s affect motorcyclists. Gina also writes about motorcycle accident lawyers.