Red Light Cameras

[Steve Irwin]

$400

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

:bang :pctoss :madrun :flipoff

[mrsmaalox]

Oh no, WHERE?

[NorCal510]

CALIFORNIA!

I rolled a red light turning right and that bastard paparazzi'd me!

FUCKKKKKKKKKK! $400 is a dent out of my pocket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LuvBones]

Sucks for you.. send them a photo of $400. That should work.

[ggoose25]

fuck em. dont pay it

[Kori Ellis]

Weren't you bragging in another thread about "not getting caught"?

[Kori Ellis]

you should be slick like me and not get caught.

drive with those radar things so you get warned when cops are around.

yeeeeeeee

I guess your radar couldn't detect the camera :)

[thispego]

I have gotten about 10 tickets throughout my illustrious driving career. Sure that may seem like alot, but I see it this way... Take all the money I've spent on those tickets and spread it out from the day I started driving at 16.. for a mere $1-$2 a day I can drive anywhere I want as fast as I want. It's like a special tax I pay to be exmept from Speed Limits. What a bargain.

[midgetonadonkey]

Weren't you bragging in another thread about "not getting caught"?

:lmao

That's what I was thinking when I read this.

[stretch]

I have gotten about 10 tickets throughout my illustrious driving career. Sure that may seem like alot, but I see it this way... Take all the money I've spent on those tickets and spread it out from the day I started driving at 16.. for a mere $1-$2 a day I can drive anywhere I want as fast as I want. It's like a special tax I pay to be exmept from Speed Limits. What a bargain.
Never thought of it that way... my view on speeding has completely changed. thispego, you have changed my life eternally. Thank you.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

They have them here. Hate them. First ticket is $100. Second is $200 and then after that I think they hold steady at $300. My mom is the only family member hit so far.

Problem with the cameras is that people are so leery of the light changing that they slam on their brakes in anticipation of the light turning yellow. I haven't come close to getting a ticket yet (that I know of) but I have almost rear-ended the idiot drivers who don't turn on a green light. :pctoss

[mrsmaalox]

I guess your radar couldn't detect the camera :)

Bad Karma

[Fillmoe]

sucks to be you....







YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[NorCal510]

Weren't you bragging in another thread about "not getting caught"?
:oops

:ihit

[PM5K]

I got a warning in Balcones Heights...

[thispego]

Never thought of it that way... my view on speeding has completely changed. thispego, you have changed my life eternally. Thank you.
normally i'd think you were being sarcastic but this was a life changing revelation for me as well

[stretch]

normally i'd think you were being sarcastic but this was a life changing revelation for me as well
fuck yourself.

[Sunshine]

I got a warning in Balcones Heights...


I got snapped running a red light at the intersection where the Whataburger is. $148.00.

[thispego]

fuck yourself.
:dramaquee

[PM5K]

I got snapped running a red light at the intersection where the Whataburger is. $148.00.

I got snapped at the one by the Jims, on Fred RD going toward 410, it was during the test phase so it was only a warning.

I think I was just not paying attention and by the time I looked up the light had just changed and I couldn't stop in time.

[florige]

Consider yourself's fortunate that you guys only have red light cameras. Here in MD the legislature is trying to pass a bill where they will set up speed camera's. They already have them in the some parts of the district already in residential communities and school zones which are understandable. But alot of peope here are wondering if this bill is passed, how long will it take for them to be set up on the beltways. On the plus side your insurance won't go up due to the fact the camera can't tell who is driving the vehicle. That would really suck if they decided to have them as moving violations charged back to the owner of the vehicle.

[NorCal510]

Consider yourself's fortunate that you guys only have red light cameras. Here in MD the legislature is trying to pass a bill where they will set up speed camera's. They already have them in the some parts of the district already in residential communities and school zones which are understandable. But alot of peope here are wondering if this bill is passed, how long will it take for them to be set up on the beltways. On the plus side your insurance won't go up due to the fact the camera can't tell who is driving the vehicle. That would really suck if they decided to have them as moving violations charged back to the owner of the vehicle.
Consider yourself fortunate for living in MD.

A $100 ticket in MD costs $500 in CA.

[CosmicCowboy]

Red light cameras in California? You gotta be kidding...in LA the only way you can ever turn left is on the red...and everyone does it...I thought it was legal LOL.

[sa_butta]

Sucks for you.. send them a photo of $400. That should work.Then they probably send a photo of handcuffs back.

[Dex]

There are red lights in California?

[LuvBones]

Red light cameras in California? You gotta be kidding...in LA the only way you can ever turn left is on the red...and everyone does it...I thought it was legal LOL.So Britney Spears must have tons of tickets in the mail. http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif yeah right.

[Steve Irwin]

Do you think if I go to court I can get it reduced? I'm 16 so I don't know if that'll help at all. I know you can reduce it by a little but it has to be significant enough for me to go. Anyone have advice?

Btw, the CA cost for the red light running is about $350 give or take.

[thispego]

you got owned kid

[bendmz]

I got snapped running a red light at the intersection where the Whataburger is. $148.00.


I thought those tickets were not to exceed 75 bucks.......

[DannyT]

is there a site that has the locations in SA that have red light cameras on them. I know a lot of intersections have them now days cause I am always ckecking. But which ones are actually activated and not in a test phase. I remember they made a big news alert when Balcones Heights intersections started up. My In law got hit with a ticket from the camera in a rental. So they traced it down to him having the car at that time and got billed to him

[ploto]

is there a site that has the locations in SA that have red light cameras on them.

The City of Balcones Heights will be the first city in Bexar County to install the controversial red light cameras. Construction begins Thursday, January 11th at the corner of Hillcrest and Babcock.

Three other red light cameras will be installed on Fredericksburg Road to include: the intersections at Hillcrest & Fredericksburg Road, Crossroads Boulevard at Fredericksburg Road & Balcones Heights Boulevard & Fredericksburg Road.
http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/008656.html

Schertz and Alamo Heights have postponed plans to install red-light cameras because of a new state law, but there are advantages if they change their minds before the law takes effect Sept. 1, according to the red-light camera company both cities were planning to use...
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/traffic/stories/MYSA071807.nc18redlight.fa0c6b.html

[DannyT]

A 2005 Federal Highway Administration study said red-light cameras reduced side collisions 25 percent, but rear-end collisions jumped 15 percent[/B].http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/traffic/stories/MYSA071807.nc18redlight.fa0c6b.html


There you have it....

[kingsfan]

You can't make a right on red in California? We can here unless there's a sign saying you can't but there are very few of those.

[missmyzte]

You can't make a right on red in California? We can here unless there's a sign saying you can't but there are very few of those.
Yes, you can. But the red light cameras are intended for those who are going straight through the intersection after the light has turned red or turning left when there's a left turn signal.

[Gerryatrics]

I'm trying to figure this one out as well. Can the cameras actually tell if you don't come to a complete stop before turning right at a red light? That would actually be kind of cool, obviously sucks if you get caught though. Or was it a no-turn-on-red intersection or something?

[Steve Irwin]

I'm trying to figure this one out as well. Can the cameras actually tell if you don't come to a complete stop before turning right at a red light? That would actually be kind of cool, obviously sucks if you get caught though. Or was it a no-turn-on-red intersection or something?
Yes, you can turn right on a red but you have to make a complete stop. Who really does that?

Also, I researched to see how they can find out. Turns out these "cameras" operate using 12 second video clips of each infraction. Too much tech these days :madrun .

[Gerryatrics]

I do, but if I get tagged with any kind of moving violation I'm pretty much screwed so I'm one of the 0.5% of drivers that actually bother with things like that. Didn't know they could track failure to come to a complete stop, good to know. Going to court probably wouldn't hurt, I don't know how much a chance you have of getting it reduced or if there are any options to keep it off your driving record, but you can't do worse than $400.

[Nbadan]

there's no real teeth behind this program in Balcones Heights, for instance, if you don't pay your fine, you don't get an arrest warrant and a officer knocking on your door, you get a mark on your credit report..

[CubanMustGo]

Yep and wait until those marks start impacting your credit. You won't go to jail but it will cost you when time comes to finance a house, car, etc.

Cali programs may be different than Texas programs which by law are not considered moving violations.

[Fabbs]

KXAN: Austin, TX
http://phantomplate.com/
Photo Blocker Spray.

Could someone please contact this KXAN anchor and see if she really did this report. Chump? http://www.phantomplate.com/vidpop_kxan.html
edit: what i mean is see if she has done any followup, gotten any input since the report was shown. What is her name, my sound is jacked up.

[ChumpDumper]

Chris Willis did the story. His contact information is on this page:

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=144815

[E20]

I never run red lights and follow the law so I never have this problem.

[Steve Irwin]

Anyone use photo blocker spray?

I'm thinking about getting this but I'm not sure...

[stretch]

I never run red lights and follow the law so I never have this problem.
Weren't you the one that failed his driving test like 4 times?

[E20]

Weren't you the one that failed his driving test like 4 times?
Yeah, but they failed me because I wouldn't look over my shoulder when I change lines, so I finally cave in and do that, but only on the test. I never practice it, because think about it, how dangerous is it to turn around and look over your shoulder and take your eyes of the road where anything can happen in the blink of an eye, what if somebody cuts you off or the car infront of you brakes suddenly etc... They say always keep your eyes on the road, but be sure to take them off when attempting a lane change, you have like 80 mirrors, why turn around. [/rant]

[thispego]

Yeah, but they failed me because I wouldn't look over my shoulder when I change lines, so I finally cave in and do that, but only on the test. I never practice it, because think about it, how dangerous is it to turn around and look over your shoulder and take your eyes of the road where anything can happen in the blink of an eye, what if somebody cuts you off or the car infront of you brakes suddenly etc... They say always keep your eyes on the road, but be sure to take them off when attempting a lane change, you have like 80 mirrors, why turn around. [/rant]
how else do you check your blind spot(s)? do you realy have 80 mirrors on your car?

[E20]

how else do you check your blind spot(s)? do you realy have 80 mirrors on your car?
Intution and a good set of ears/reflexes. Plus if I'm in the car wiht somebody I just ask them if there is somebody there.

[thispego]

Intution and a good set of ears/reflexes. Plus if I'm in the car wiht somebody I just ask them if there is somebody there.
hahaha, we need to start a pool for when E20 starts a thread about side-swiping a car that was sitting in his blind spot.

Honeslty though, some cars blindspots are way worse than others. Every car I have owned, except for an old chevy silverado, has had huge blind spots.

[Steve Irwin]

Intution and a good set of ears/reflexes. Plus if I'm in the car wiht somebody I just ask them if there is somebody there.
haha loser


if you're like that you might as well pick up some mini blind spot mirrors to put on.

"hey joe, is there anybody in my blindspot on the right?"

"no, e20"

"thanks"

:lol

[medstudent]

hahaha, we need to start a pool for when E20 starts a thread about side-swiping a car that was sitting in his blind spot.

Honeslty though, some cars blindspots are way worse than others. Every car I have owned, except for an old chevy silverado, has had huge blind spots.

:lmao

[iminlakerland]

Yes, you can. But the red light cameras are intended for those who are going straight through the intersection after the light has turned red or turning left when there's a left turn signal.

Actually many of the red light cameras now have the technology to catch those drivers who are making right hand turns on a red without coming to a complete stop. There are many of these cameras in the San fernando valley now. Careful while driving out there, i know people who have been hit with these tickets.

[Reilly]

$400

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

:bang :pctoss :madrun :flipoff

karmas a bitch, huh?

[Steve Irwin]

karmas a bitch, huh?
suck a dick

[phxspurfan]

I think these started in Phoenix, where I'm living right now. There was a big CNN.com article about them awhile back that stated the city of Scottsdale, AZ was making a killing off of them and so everyone started to install the cameras. They're attached to posts every square mile here, and they monitor speed as well as red light runners.

The cameras here are set to flash you if you do mroe than 11 mph over the posted speed (so people stay under 55 on the streets here). The intersections have a red stripe painted in parallel with the crosswalk about midway through the intersection. This way, if the camera snaps one of you blazing through, if your car is before the red line, that is grounds for a ticket to be made for you.

Issues with this:

1. In order for the ticket to be valid, a cop must issue the ticket in person to you. People get them in the mail, but really the law states that to get you to pay, the city has to send somebody to knock on your door and physically issue the citation. this, of course, has led to people not answering their doors on purpose. I've heard stories of cops threatening they have a warrant jus tto walk in and hand the person the ticket...

2. In order for the ticket to match to you, and thus be legal, the camera has to snap a picture of you driving the car and the license plate. Some people have done crazy things like flip the visor down so their face is shielded from the cameras as they drive past them, and spray coating on their plates to make them opaque enough to reflect the flash off the cameras and be too blurry to read. Also, there was a TV program (like pimp my ride or soemthing) where the guys designed a rotating license plate to swap when you roll by the cameras, so they take a pic of the wrong plate, or a message like 'haha suckers.'

I think people have made it too complicated. I mean, I used to like the aspect of the 'chase,' or strategic competition it used to take for cops to get you -- now it's automated. However, the cameras have made people slow their rolls on average, so I guess it saves lives and that's pretty cool. I just learned to ignore my radar detector when I roll by one of these cameras with always-on radar and drive no mroe than 7 over the posted limit.

[phxspurfan]

^^ I also have a coworker who swaps cars with his wife so he can just say he the pic isnt of him, the registered owner. He won't have to pay the ticket.

[Fabbs]

Also, there was a TV program (like pimp my ride or soemthing) where the guys designed a rotating license plate to swap when you roll by the cameras, so they take a pic of the wrong plate, or a message like 'haha suckers.'
I would pay to have this done. Make sure your VIN number in the corner of your windshield is covered, I've heard of them being able to zoom in and expand. Also the little year sticker on your plate, that has numbers that can i.d. your car. Make sure its out of site too if doing the Pimp My Ride or spray thing.


However, the cameras have made people slow their rolls on average, so I guess it saves lives and that's pretty cool. As long as the orange light is set for as long as is proper, that being at least one second of orange for each 10 miles per hour. Example in a 35 MPH zone, the amber light should be at least 3.5 seconds. Between this greedy company and the greedy cities that use them, I've seen as short as .7 second in a 40MPH zone.
Just so they could up their profits. That is bull. It's also caused rear end accidents by people jamming on the breaks to avoid the $400 ring up.

If used properly and where it does reduce accidents, great.

[phxspurfan]

As long as the orange light is set for as long as is proper, that being at least one second of orange for each 10 miles per hour. Example in a 35 MPH zone, the amber light should be at least 3.5 seconds. Between this greedy company and the greedy cities that use them, I've seen as short as .7 second in a 40MPH zone.


You know, I thought of this one too during an interview when the guy asked me to describe how to make a traffic light state machine (logic). I think you're absolutely right, and the urban planning committees in each city should take responsibility for red light timing. If done correctly and appropriately for the time of day (traffic), correcting the light timings can save people time, prevent accidents, traffic...