[bomgd3]

I ask this because I drive through the Center every day, and I see a mind-boggling number of people running the red lights (with pedestrians nearby!!) and making left turns against oncoming traffic. Even though there are obviously traffic cameras, everyone still does it. Does WeHa actually use these cameras to issue tickets?

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by bomgd3

Does WeHa actually use these cameras to issue tickets?

No. The state killed this plan, thank God. The plan originally called for installing cameras in cities with populations above 60,000 people. When the cameras first went up here, they did it in a real surreptitious way, saying it was designed to monitor traffic back-ups and accidents, but I knew even then they were just biding their time inthe hopes that the state would approve them so they could start fining people. But this died in the house and I'm glad it did. I agree people running red lights is a major problem, but IMO cameras are not the solution to this. Other states have taken them down once it became obvious they had less to do with safety, and more to do with trying to extort more money from the public.

[bomgd3]

I'm actually in support of them because I feel that even if they might increase rear-endings at low speed, they decrease accidents causing significant injuries. I remember seeing some studies supporting this, but don't have time to look it up now. It really makes me angry that people are so selfish that they blatantly ignore traffic laws, particularly in such a pedestrian-dense area.

I figure if you get a big ticket for running a light in the Center, you're not likely to do it again. Some kind of individual review process or timing threshold might be available for people who get caught just as a yellow turns red.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by bomgd3

It really makes me angry that people are so selfish that they blatantly ignore traffic laws, particularly in such a pedestrian-dense area.

I figure if you get a big ticket for running a light in the Center, you're not likely to do it again. Some kind of individual review process or timing threshold might be available for people who get caught just as a yellow turns red.

You'll get no argument from me there about people rolling thru red lights. I agree 100%. But IMO the red light cameras are becoming popular not because they're a deterrent - it's because municipalities are looking for new ways to draw revenue. Another option to deter speeding and/or running red lights would be to install speed bumps, but they won't consider this since there's no money to be made from doing this.

[bomgd3]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

You'll get no argument from me there about people rolling thru red lights. I agree 100%. But IMO the red light cameras are becoming popular not because they're a deterrent - it's because municipalities are looking for new ways to draw revenue. Another option to deter speeding and/or running red lights would be to install speed bumps, but they won't consider this since there's no money to be made from doing this.

Maybe a pop-up speed "wall" would stop people from running red lights The Center already has speed bumps from its raised pedestrian crossings, which limit speed but don't stop people from running lights or making illegal left turns. I mean, I'm sure the extra revenues are good for the city, but I think they still help with safety.

[Kristin85]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

You'll get no argument from me there about people rolling thru red lights. I agree 100%. But IMO the red light cameras are becoming popular not because they're a deterrent - it's because municipalities are looking for new ways to draw revenue. Another option to deter speeding and/or running red lights would be to install speed bumps, but they won't consider this since there's no money to be made from doing this.

The speed bump idea also wouldn't work because the light changes would need to be lengthened to account for the slower moving cars; there would be outrage at that idea from people who frequent the streets with longer lights and who don't want to wait. There are 2 lights in Stamford I sit at everyday that only allow for 2-3 cars to go through when 5-6 cars are typically waiting. It won't change. It's the issue of bad timing that causes all of these people to run through red; if you didn't have to sit at a light for 10 minutes everyday because cars don't have enough time to move, this would happen a lot less frequently.

[JayCT]

The cameras you see at the intersections in West Hartford are NOT for catching people runing red lights. They are actually detectors used give the approaches the green light for the correct amount of time they need to clear traffic at the intersection. They replace detectors installed in the pavement. This is the latest technology and few towns are using it right now. I think New Haven and Stamford have them too but ConnDOT is just now starting to accept them. The problem is they are more expensive for upfront costs but when a town wants to repave a street, they do not need to pay for new detectors under the pavement. Jay

[CTGirlNoMore]

An above poster said CT killed that plan. So if I see those cameras does it mean they relaly are NOT cameras? I don't run red lights, I'm not asking for that reason. I'm asking for the same reason OP did. I see people run lights all the time and wondered if those cameras issued tickets.

I always wondered.........

[JayCT]

They are cameras but they are not for issuing tickets. They are for monitoring traffic approaching the intersection and adjusting the signal timing to accomodate traffic conditions. Jay