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Red-light cameras INCREASE number of crashes in West Palm Beach

GasBuddy Blog -- The whole point of red-light cameras is to improve driver safety by reducing red-light running, right?

West Palm Beach has already been running red-light cameras at four city intersections, and a partial police review of those locations showed that crashes have doubled since the installation of the red-light cameras.

More crashes, and the vendor’s losing money, too, because so far the cost of the operation is outstripping the income generated by the insufficient number of drivers who are snagged for the $158 citations.

The Palm Beach Post says the city’s camera business has an economy-of-scale problem. The $19,000-a-month labor costs of city workers to handle the action at a small number of intersections is...

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Submitted Feb 11, 2013 By: PD

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Surfrat6 Rookie Author Miami Posts:10 Points:35,475 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2013 3:57:51 PM Ignore Surfrat6 Report Abuse I saw a T-bone crash occur a couple of months ago at about 9pm. The driver that got hit, was occupied with his phone. I slowed down to stop at the red light, but he didn't even apply his brakes, went through the intersection and was t-boned by an SUV that couldn't stop or swerve, traveling about 30 mph. Had a CAMERA been at the intersection - there would have been video of the incident. Other than that, the camera could not have contributed to whether this accident occurred or not. That's why the phrase "cameras contribute to safety" is such BS.
Surfrat6 Rookie Author Miami Posts:10 Points:35,475 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2013 3:53:21 PM Ignore Surfrat6 Report Abuse How does a camera increase safety? That is such BS. A camera RECORDS an incident. A camera does not PREVENT something from happening, nor can it possibly contribute to safety. A red light camera will not catch someone driving 100mph through a green light, or a drunk driver weaving through the intersection at a green light. The camera will not stop the T-bone crash that occurs because someone wasn't paying attention and went through a red light that has been in effect long enough to allow traffic to flow in the other direction. The camera WILL however, catch someone that misjudged a yellow light and barely transgressed the red light......and then a couple of seconds pass before the opposing direction gets a green light, people will allow the intersection to clear, and proceed safely. The red light cameras are "GOTCHA" devices that prey on those who barely miss the yellow, and aren't really posing any safety threat to traffic. But lets be clear - the camera just takes a picture, and weeks later, the hapless driver receives a letter in the mail. I don't see how this is anything other than a revenue generating device. You want SAFETY? Create jobs and employ traffic officers at intersections. The sight of a police car DOES contribute to safety.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 7:56:33 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse let's hope the FL legislature does something useful this time around.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 5:56:15 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Coupon: good suggestion, just won't ever happen.
CityCouponer All-Star Author New Orleans Posts:948 Points:204,180 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 4:52:39 AM Ignore CityCouponer Report Abuse Red-light cameras should be banned.
gazguzzler11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,456 Points:766,240 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 4:26:00 PM Ignore gazguzzler11 Report Abuse As I have already posted, RLCs do not increase MVCs. It is the poor/illegal driving habits of far too many drivers out there that are the cause of these MVCs. If you still think that RLCs cause MVCs, please tell me how many people have ever successfully used this as their defence when they have been charged with 1 or more of the following: 1) following too close 2) speeding 3) not paying attention to the traffic around you 4) not adjusting your driving to the road conditions To those who are saying that RLCs are mainly a cash grab, you're also wrong. They don't grab any cash except from those who break the law. They'll never get any $ from me because I don't run reds. Here is the theory behind RLCs. If you have common sense you don't need any law to tell you to stop at reds. However, you can't teach common sense. Therefore the theory is that if you receive enough RLC tickets eventually the pain from your wallet will migrate to your brain & you'll finally realize that if you stop running reds that you'll get to keep your $ to spend on things that you want. This is similar to how you train a dog with the reward system.
moose21040 Rookie Author Baltimore Posts:85 Points:117,235 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 12:17:39 PM Ignore moose21040 Report Abuse I thought the Red-light cameras were for safety and not for profit.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 5:59:42 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse crep: that's b/c that's not "newsworthy" (or, rather, not sensationalistic enough).
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 5:58:31 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse talk has it, they may abolish them again...
RitaVespa Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,996 Points:795,285 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 6:14:25 PM Ignore RitaVespa Report Abuse Probably
blueliner16 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,730 Points:2,177,030 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 5:47:52 AM Ignore blueliner16 Report Abuse Irresponsible drivers increase the number of crashes. I doubt that the red light cameras had anything to do with the selfishness of the drivers who actually caused the crashes.
alaric76 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:16,547 Points:3,036,510 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 12:21:42 AM Ignore alaric76 Report Abuse actually, I see the yellow period getting shorter!
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,588 Points:481,575 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 9:31:54 PM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse Longer yellow lights has been shown to reduce the number of collisions at intersections. Yet we don't hear of any places extending their yellow lights to improve safety...
gazguzzler11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,456 Points:766,240 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 5:07:09 PM Ignore gazguzzler11 Report Abuse People keep insisting that RLCs cause MVCs. Please tell me how they do this? But first, consider this. Do you do any of the following: 1) follow too close 2) speed 3) not pay attention to the traffic around you 4) not adjust your driving to the road conditions. Now that you have considered the above 4 points, go ahead & explain how RLCs cause MVCs. I can legally stop my car anywhere, anytime, for any number of reasons. If you aren't guilty of any of the above 4, then you won't rear end me. If you are guilty of any or all of the above 4, then you very well might hit me. Don't try to blame a RLC for your poor/illegal driving habits.
Digger52 Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,422 Points:851,860 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 4:05:38 PM Ignore Digger52 Report Abuse Someone thought they had a great idea. . . .
NightRider Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,410 Points:77,250 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 4:02:59 PM Ignore NightRider Report Abuse cricket48750 - It is not OK for Red-light cameras to INCREASE the number of crashes in West Palm Beach. How can you be so insensitive?
cricket48750 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:802 Points:415,080 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 3:56:18 PM Ignore cricket48750 Report Abuse OK
NightRider Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,410 Points:77,250 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 2:38:28 PM Ignore NightRider Report Abuse "the tax payer's loose..... " - Yep, foot loose and fancy free. Sometimes you can't win for losing.
DLCAN Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,788 Points:871,845 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 2:21:10 PM Ignore DLCAN Report Abuse well - some body has to make some money - the defending attorney or the city... yet again - the tax payer's loose.....
LtRTH Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,791 Points:587,950 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:35:05 PM Ignore LtRTH Report Abuse Great how the article notes the mayors comment was made with a "straight face". Have to wonder if the punishment was something other than a fine, would these cities be so eager to have this cameras? And of course accidents could increaase. Either drivers will lock em up trying to stop, getting rear ended, or as usual speeding up trying to make it through on the yellow light and getting t-boned.
dacofa Champion Author Nevada Posts:5,375 Points:1,150,610 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:32:32 PM Ignore dacofa Report Abuse It's the camera's fault? Talk about a lame excuse for being a driver that doesn't desire to be on the road.
juttuniemi Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,136 Points:1,863,905 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:17:46 PM Ignore juttuniemi Report Abuse One likely reason: FL has a lot of VERY old drivers. And I'll bet a lot of them hit the brakes hard at these intersections when the light turns yellow. Then the following drivers hit the ones who stopped suddenly.
VernonOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,925 Points:739,820 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:16:35 PM Ignore VernonOR Report Abuse Labor cost of union run city employees no surprise her ($19,000-a-month).
BossPal All-Star Author Illinois Posts:552 Points:242,285 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:11:48 PM Ignore BossPal Report Abuse Red light cameras serve two purposes to catch idiot redlight runners and to generate revenue for that local gov't the sudden stops by people trying to avoid a ticket and causing accidents is beacuse they misjudge the lights timing and are not paying attention those drivers are either in a hurry (late for work or need to pick up the kids from day care or school)or texting. change the behavior, drive safe and defensively. a message brought to by the .............................LOL
NightRider Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,410 Points:77,250 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:10:57 PM Ignore NightRider Report Abuse It would make more sense to put a police officer at the intersection during peak traffic hours when accidents have a higher probability of occurring. That wouldn't cost as much as having the cameras 24 hours a day and paying the contractor. Automatic tickets generated by cameras sound like a good way to generate revenue as well as enforce the law. However, as the old adage goes, "if it sounds too good to be true it probably is".
MangoNut Rookie Author Oakland Posts:20 Points:597,025 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:09:35 PM Ignore MangoNut Report Abuse Fight the ticket!
dcoxdcox44 All-Star Author New Hampshire Posts:653 Points:204,660 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:08:29 PM Ignore dcoxdcox44 Report Abuse This just can't be right. Somebody is misinterpreting something somewhere
berniMI Champion Author Flint Posts:7,701 Points:1,108,730 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:07:51 PM Ignore berniMI Report Abuse Green light means go Red light means stop...where are the crashes happening?? I believe trying to still go thru the red like every one does. Just follow the driveing rules and all will be fine. Common sense!! Was this not included in High School Drivers Training Class?????????
IMLURCH Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,199 Points:1,106,105 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:05:52 PM Ignore IMLURCH Report Abuse Old story and should be removed from top 5 after 24 hrs.
repeater1 Champion Author Topeka Posts:8,318 Points:2,368,745 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 12:03:27 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse Drivers being distracted by the camera?
Red7002011 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,347 Points:671,645 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:58:44 AM Ignore Red7002011 Report Abuse Well, well, well!
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:5,180 Points:1,553,670 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:57:57 AM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse gotta beat the red light so your not on candid camera
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,409 Points:1,357,820 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:56:03 AM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse Trust not in your own understanding.
bra0712 Champion Author Arizona Posts:3,680 Points:771,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:56:01 AM Ignore bra0712 Report Abuse stupid drivers is the problem
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:7,955 Points:1,759,035 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:55:54 AM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse Government at work.
skinsfan125 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,557 Points:285,200 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:53:57 AM Ignore skinsfan125 Report Abuse but they make reveneu out the wazoo!
NanookAK Champion Author Anchorage Posts:7,271 Points:1,443,940 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:49:38 AM Ignore NanookAK Report Abuse Then ban them.
Cableman66 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,125 Points:493,620 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:49:25 AM Ignore Cableman66 Report Abuse Old news.
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,435 Points:482,570 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:48:12 AM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse too much emphasis on technology and less on getting people involved...
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:8,061 Points:1,428,510 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:47:05 AM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse old article let us move on to new article.
flatrock14 Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,665 Points:779,705 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:45:11 AM Ignore flatrock14 Report Abuse im not surprised
ChargerV8 Rookie Author Eugene Posts:48 Points:15,735 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:44:21 AM Ignore ChargerV8 Report Abuse I seen that started overseas. I wonder if the problem exists there too.
installer All-Star Author San Diego Posts:946 Points:480,250 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:44:16 AM Ignore installer Report Abuse This has been known for years, three or four here in Kalif. The money from citizens is too much temptation to tax/spend gov't. The contractors operating the systems also get a percentage of the take. Many opportunities to fudge the results.
TTM77 Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,136 Points:1,212,670 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:43:33 AM Ignore TTM77 Report Abuse it create jobs. go crash more. that's why they give driver license to any idiot who even care to want one.
BeatOPEC All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:857 Points:197,130 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:42:10 AM Ignore BeatOPEC Report Abuse These cameras have nothing to do with safety and everything to do with increasing revenue for the government. This type of entrapment should be outlawed.
donny47 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,676 Points:989,340 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:38:03 AM Ignore donny47 Report Abuse old
nascar9 All-Star Author Tacoma Posts:976 Points:533,230 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:36:40 AM Ignore nascar9 Report Abuse Proves that governments don't listen.
ace12012 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,680 Points:326,860 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:36:26 AM Ignore ace12012 Report Abuse read it before.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:7,214 Points:1,531,320 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:34:25 AM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse More crashes and it's losing money. Sounds like a government program to me.
Noewal All-Star Author Virginia Posts:690 Points:221,805 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 11:33:42 AM Ignore Noewal Report Abuse Why is yesterday's post still here?