Rear Ended at Red Light Camera Intersection (Santa Monica, Brea: insurance, how much)

[dan7609]

So I'm heading west on Santa Monica, approaching Fairfax. The crosswalk timer reads six seconds, plenty of time to make the light. Fifty feet from the intersection, I notice traffic is spilling past Fairfax backing up into the intersection. I brake abruptly (NOT slamming on the brakes) and I'm hit by the person behind me. Luckily, no major damage.

I know the city is broke, but these things really strike terror into the hearts of Angelanos.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by dan7609

So I'm heading west on Santa Monica, approaching Fairfax. The crosswalk timer reads six seconds, plenty of time to make the light. Fifty feet from the intersection, I notice traffic is spilling past Fairfax is backing up into the intersection. I brake abruptly (NOT slamming on the brakes) and I'm hit by the person behind me. Luckily, no major damage.

I know the city is broke, but these things really strike terror into the hearts of Angelanos.

I absolutely agree. Those red light cameras make me drive worse. Speeding at the last minute to avoid getting stuck. Almost hitting another car. Breaking abruptly. Or being extra paranoid and taking longer, slower routes.

Getting caught by these things is like a $500 plus a point on your record (which is how much in auto insurance?)

[dan7609]

Shortly after, a firetruck tried to get past traffic in the same direction and absolutely no one moved until the light turned green. I can't blame them for not wanting a ticket and hoping the courts would understand.

[West of Encino]

The red-light cameras are a major reason why I rarely drive. I don't trust them.

[disgruntled la native]

the worst red light cameras are the sneaky ones where you don't know when they'll turn. as much as I hate wilshire and westwood, for example, it counts down to zero so I know when it will happen.

some prominent intersections that sneak up on you are wilshire/sepulveda, pico/bundy, and sunset/hillcrest. very unfair.

[pbergen]

the red light cameras are nothing more than a cash grab. they do nothing for increasing safety or reducing accidents; if anything, they only make things worse.

it's bad enough that the fine is so steep. but it's insult on top of injury that they assess DMV points.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

the worst red light cameras are the sneaky ones where you don't know when they'll turn. as much as I hate wilshire and westwood, for example, it counts down to zero so I know when it will happen.

some prominent intersections that sneak up on you are wilshire/sepulveda, pico/bundy, and sunset/hillcrest. very unfair.

The yellow light is your warning.

[disgruntled la native]

Not warning enough when it's 2 seconds. the countdown at least lets me know if I need to slow down completely, or speed thru

[Nightscape]

I live very close to that intersection, a couple blocks west as a matter of fact. I hate that intersection with a passion. The gridlock there is insane and the bus stop at the corner makes them x10 worse. Just to let you know, the redlight camera does not function there. I've never yet seen the flash go off there in the three years ive been here. I too, from time to time get stuck in the middle of the intersection from gridlock, and never receiced a ticket. Lots of red light cameras in west holywood seem broken.

[Dunbar42]

I don't run red lights but I've sped through a yellow light and noticed the red light camera when I'm halfway through. It's always fun to sweat it out for the next few weeks wondering if I got a ticket...

BTW, you don't get a ticket unless they have two pictures showing that you entered the intersection after the light turned red. I saw a piece on PBS about red light cameras in LA county and they were losing money on them.