Red Light Camera News Stop the foolishness of red-light cameras
Stop the foolishness of red-light cameras
Bob Ingle
6:26 PM, Dec. 7, 2011 |
TRENTON — The red light camera debate continues with more evidence cameras have little to do with safety and a whole lot to do with soaking motorists for as much as government can get. Jersey City expects to get $7 million from the gadgets this year.
That $7 million represents a lot of violations. If they were the kind that caused accidents nobody in their right mind would want to drive in Jersey City.
Look a little closer and you see it’s not so much people blowing through red lights, as supporters like to portray it, but people who don’t stop the required time before making a right turn on red and the like. Minor stuff. If it’s in the middle of the night and nobody but you is in traffic, you still have to sit there and wait for what you guess is the right time.
Joe G. wrote me that Long Branch shortened the yellow lights from three seconds to about 2.3 seconds, which doesn’t sound like a lot. “Long Branch’s finest gave me a ticket for going through the yellow. I was going 25 in a 25 mph zone and three-quarters though it before it changed to red.”
The cop told him everybody complains.
Mike R. wrote, “It’s all about the money with the politicians and their short-sighted views. The real issue of increasing safety takes second place to quick profits.” He expects eventually there will be lawsuits between towns and the private companies that operate the lights for a share of the take and the taxpayers will have to shell out for lawyers.
William S. says he approached a traffic signal with cameras and the light was yellow so he put on the brakes. “Normally would have gone through this light, however because of the concern with the cameras, I put my brakes on and I got hit from the rear by the car behind me. I believe this will cause many more accidents which also may cause deaths to drivers or their passengers. It is another way of our government controlling every step of our lives and monitoring everything we do.”
The column about Gov. Christie’s proposing to expand drug courts as a way to keep non-violent drug offenders out of jail drew this response from a mom named Debra D. :
“I am not usually a supporter of Governor Christie but completely agree with him on this issue. My daughter is presently involved in the Monmouth County Drug Court Program and is having great success. The more written about this successful program the better.”
David S. of Bucks County, Pa., kept it short and sweet: “Amen to your column.” Thanks, Dave. We’re happy to see you read us on that side of the river.
I wrote about how in school I couldn’t take typing because the courses were reserved for girls who were expected to be secretaries. Aedan D. got a big laugh out of it.
“I went to an all boys high school, Marist in Bayonne, and took typing (Probably got me out of physics!). But I’m 68 now and laugh every time I see some exec doing the “2-finger keyboard two-step” and realize that was the most important course I have ever taken. God bless Brother Francis!”
A reader named Ed S. wanted us to know things have changes for the better. He shared with me that his wife, Jayne, just received a big promotion at one of New Jersey’s finest hospitals. “My wife’s boss is a 100-pound female firebrand, who, believe me, no 250-pound man would want to cross.”
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Articles Menu
Find Info
Latest Comments
Member Login
