15 more revenue cameras on traffic lights, 5 right away. (Tampa, Spring Hill: insurance, school)

[d4g4m]

City of Tampa has announced that an additional 15 revenue cameras will be installed on traffic lights with 5 currently being installed. It will bring the amount to nearly 60.
Last year the cameras brought in $7.6 million. After the State and the camera company took their cut, Tampa got $2 million profit.
After drivers learned the locations and Tampa getting caught reducing the yellow time, they expect to rake in less profit this year. So to make up the difference in less revenue, they are installing more cameras.
And there are those who actually still believe that 'the cameras are for your safety'.
I didn't know that Tampa had 60 dangerous, deadly, life threatening, crash prone intersections.
The new locations-
Kennedy and Howard
Kennedy and Westshore
Dale Mabry and MLK
Hillsborough and Florida
Fowler and Bruce B Downs
These cameras don't just drop out of the sky and attach themselves to traffic light. The City Council is installing them. Keep voting for them and you'll get more.

[LKJ1988]

Soon every lite will have them. They need to make up for a loss on prop taxes.

[PhotoProIP]

Are you complaining that red light runners are caught running red lights?
It would be more expensive to keep cops at every intersection!

[Spring Hillian]

If you're worried about red light cameras, don't run red lights. Your problem will be solved instantly.

Like PhotoPro says above, it would be more expensive to keep a cop at those intersections.

Its not a matter of safety, its a matter of getting fools who run red lights hit in the wallet. After a few hits in the wallet and suspension of their license along with increased insurance premiums the roadways become safer for everybody.

There are standards set by the Institute of Traffic Engineers. The standards determine how long yellow lights should be based on speed and grade of the roadway. Its not arbitrary.

[chi_tino]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

If you're worried about red light cameras, don't run red lights. Your problem will be solved instantly.

There are standards set by the Institute of Traffic Engineers. The standards determine how long yellow lights should be based on speed and grade of the roadway. Its not arbitrary.

Wait until the lights aren't making enough cash and then they start shortening the yellows below those ITE standards. What is your argument then?

[PhotoProIP]

Originally Posted by chi_tino

Wait until the lights aren't making enough cash and then they start shortening the yellows below those ITE standards. What is your argument then?

They will be sued if they shorten the yellow too much, because the yellow is for you to PREPARE TO STOP, and with so many people texting, old, or VERY old, and with poor reflexes, they will have more casualties before they'll be making more money.

I am not sure why we talk about it here as if it was some insult directed at the "honest" citizen?
You're not supposed to run red lights period.

[DUNNDFRNT]

I always assume there is a camera at every busy intersection, I am sure it's paranoia but it seems like I always see a flash when the light turns red.

[Red3311]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

If you're worried about red light cameras, don't run red lights. Your problem will be solved instantly.

Like PhotoPro says above, it would be more expensive to keep a cop at those intersections.

Its not a matter of safety, its a matter of getting fools who run red lights hit in the wallet. After a few hits in the wallet and suspension of their license along with increased insurance premiums the roadways become safer for everybody.

There are standards set by the Institute of Traffic Engineers. The standards determine how long yellow lights should be based on speed and grade of the roadway. Its not arbitrary.

If you think this has anything to do with "running red lights" then you are sadly mistaken. How bout lets make a quick buck while infringing on your civil liberties anyone?

With posters like quoted above, no wonder the constitution is getting ****ed on!

Before you know it there will be cameras at every intersection, 4 way stop, yield sign, school crossing, senior zone, no passing lane, bicycle lane, railroad crossing, speed bump and your car to make sure you are wearing a seatbelt, etc

[jsun556]

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

They will be sued if they shorten the yellow too much, because the yellow is for you to PREPARE TO STOP, and with so many people texting, old, or VERY old, and with poor reflexes, they will have more casualties before they'll be making more money.

I am not sure why we talk about it here as if it was some insult directed at the "honest" citizen?
You're not supposed to run red lights period.

So the state will be sued and the judges whom hear the case also happen to be getting kickbacks from the companies that operate the cameras, and is also a friend of the city council member who voted for them.

What happens now?

[thession]

It's a shame to make a law when it should be common sense. Since people continue to run red lights the camera becomes the deterrent. If it generates revenue that's good for us. Quit running red lights and they will go away...at least for revenue generating purposes.