Cameras cause drivers to get tickets for legal right turns on red

[Eric J in MN]

Chillicothe, Ohio:

A southern Ohio mayor has asked his police department to dismiss many of the traffic citations written with the help of new red-light cameras. Chillicothe City Councilman Dustin Proehl said Mayor Joe Sulzer took that that step because the cameras are ticketing people for making legal right turns on red lights.

Proehl said the system isn't working the way officials had expected. He said fixes will be discussed at a meeting Friday.

The city 45 miles south of Columbus last month installed cameras to catch people running red lights at certain intersections. Similar cameras are used in Columbus, Cleveland and other cities.

More than 3,000 Ross County residents have signed a petition saying the Chillicothe cameras should be removed.

[global1]

1. Red Light Camera's Are Catching On In The Chicago Area As Well.....

I already received a $100 ticket at one. I was following a truck with a 'cherry picker' on it and it blocked my view of the light which is above the intersection. I followed it through the intersection - unfortunately - the light was red and I was unable to see it. It was clear on the video that this happened. I explained this in my defense letter - but it wasn't one of their accepted explanations and I was fined. Now I'm gun shy. I either speed up to make it through the light or slow down and/or stop before the light so that it changes red and I clearly stop. I'm worried that if the light is changing while I'm just about to it - I will slam on the brakes and either put someone through the windshield or get rear-ended.

The municipalities that are putting these in are claiming that they promote safety - but I believe the contrary - and I think that there will be more accidents at these intersections than before the redlight cameras.

I drive down Highway 23 from Columbus to Circleville or Chillicothe quite a bit and I like the system they have there. I would estimate that about a 1/4 mile before the intersection with the light there is a yellow light. If that yellow light is flashing - it is a warning that by the time you get to the intersection - the light will change to red. To me this is the safe way to warn the driver - if the municipalities are really concerned with safety.

In the Chicago area they have a sign up on a pole just about 100 feet before the light and one on the other side of the intersection that is visble as you are going through the light. In my estimation they are only interested in generating more revenue instead of safety and are using safety as an excuse.

Does anybody know if there are any studies of the intersections before and after red light cameras? I would bet that the intersection becomes more dangerous as people begin to get fined and get gun shy like I do when I come up to one of these cameras. I'm interested in any other comments from others that have had similar experiences.

[Bandit]

6. Then you were following too close

You should have received a ticket for that as well. That is as crazy an excuse as I have ever heard. I was too close to the vehicle in front of me to see traffic signals..How absurd..

[Fumesucker]

7. You don't have to be all that close to a tall vehicle to have it block your view of a red light..

The taller the vehicle, the further back you have to be in order to see the light over it before you get to the light.

A tall vehicle and relatively low speed and you could easily be far enough back to be safe but still unable to see the light.

[Fumesucker]

8. I suspect the accident rate will go up.. But there will be different kids of accidents..

People running a red light are likely to be hit from the side at considerable speed, those slamming on the brakes to keep from running the light are likely to be hit from behind at somewhat less speed.

More but less dangerous accidents would be the overall result, IMO.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Several months of ticketing had to be thrown out in Philly lately

The cameras were uncalibrated and often ticketed drivers seemingly at random. There's been talk of removing them altogether. They have become fairly easy to beat in traffic court, too (unless you get one of our legendary corrupt judges).

--p!

[47of74]

3. I think the people getting unjustly ticketed should sue

Maybe the possibility of losing a couple million dollars or even the thought of having to handle a s--tload of paperwork would convince these clowns to make sure their cameras work right.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

4. thank god those cameras can't give you a DUI

or that first morning beer might be your last for a while... :)

sP

[ThePowerofWill]

5. Glad these things never made it here in my area.

One question i, and many others have had is what if i let someone use my car? I often have, some folks have to borrow a car to get to the store or doctor. Why should i be forced to pay the ticket. Or you could rephrase that question into, how do they know it's the owner driving the car? Answer is they don't, but are going to charge you anyway.