Red light cameras
I got this from a buddy who posted it on another forum. It was in the ajc yesterday. Discuss.
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For those that can't see the link:
Lawmaker seeks ban of red light cameras
Some legislators say law saves lives; opponents cite more fender-benders, question right to privacy.
By Paul Kaplan, Jeremy Redmon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/01/07
Those controversial red light cameras would become a thing of the past under a bill being considered by the Legislature.
Georgia legalized the cameras six years ago to improve safety, but several state lawmakers want to ban them across the state. They say the cameras are unconstitutional and are causing fender-benders.
"In the Constitution, you have the right to confront your accusers. And you cannot cross-examine a camera," said state Rep. Bobby Franklin (R-Marietta). "And that is not even going into the public safety side of it, where you have numerous rear-end collisions where people are trying to avoid getting tickets."
But supporters of the red light cameras dispute the constitutional concern, and they say the devices save lives.
More than 20 cities and counties across the state are using the cameras, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Among them are DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett counties and the cities of Atlanta, Decatur and Alpharetta.
Franklin says his bill is retroactive, so if it becomes law it would require cities and counties to shut down their cameras.
Proponents of HB 77 are bracing for what they say will be an uphill battle pushing it through the Legislature this year. One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville), said he has received critical letters from city officials.
The General Assembly in 2001 authorized cities and counties to issue fines of up to $70 for red light runners caught on camera.
"I'll do everything I can to save the program because it saves lives," said Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta), one of the sponsors of the 2001 legislation.
Mixed results in Roswell
Roswell police Chief Ed Williams said the cameras produce mixed results, but he defends the devices. Studies have shown the number of serious side-impact accidents, known as "T-bones," decline after the cameras are installed, and that saves lives, Williams said. Yet, the cameras increase the number of low-impact fender-benders, he said. Fender-benders increase because drivers often slam on their brakes when the light turns yellow, catching the driver behind them off-guard.
In Alpharetta, collisions caused by running red lights dropped by nearly 64 percent in the year after the cameras were installed, and rear-end collisions increased by nearly 4 percent, according to police.
Roswell recently had a contractor install red light cameras at two of its most dangerous intersections, and next week the city begins issuing warning tickets for a month before sending out $70 citations to violators.
Williams disagrees with Franklin's argument that the cameras should be outlawed because the accused cannot confront a camera in court.
"You can't cross-examine a gun or a bullet, either," Williams said. "In this case, you can cross-examine the officer. A certified police officer reviews the videotape and makes a determination that a car committed a violation."
Source of revenue
A recent study in Philadelphia by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit educational organization, found that red light-running dropped by 96 percent after cameras were installed.
Some cities and counties are making money off the red light cameras. Gwinnett County, for example, used five of the devices at three intersections in 2006, issued 13,148 traffic citations and collected $562,332 in fines, records show.
"I want to protect the safety of the citizen and the driver, and at the same time I don't want this to be a distinct revenue source," said state Rep. Tom Rice (R-Norcross), chairman of the House Motor Vehicles Committee, which is preparing to review the bill.
Loudermilk said he is preparing to introduce another bill that would force cities and counties to stop using their red light cameras until they file annual reports as already required by state law. Those reports require them to disclose the locations of the cameras, how many traffic citations they have issued and how much money they have collected. Not all cities and counties with the cameras are filing those reports, Loudermilk said.
Critics say they also are concerned about privacy.
"Some people think it's Big Brotherish," countered Roswell City Councilman David Tolleson. "But look at YouTube. If you're in a public place, you are subject to being filmed or observed ... particularly in this age where everyone has a cellphone camera and can just casually observe anyone else."
Under Georgia law, video enforcement has to be from the rear, so the picture cannot identify anyone in the vehicle. And no matter who's driving, the ticket will go to the registered owner of the vehicle. California and other states allow pictures to be taken of the driver.
Difference of opinion
Shoppers a block from the intersection of Haynes Bridge Road and North Point Parkway in Alpharetta, which has red light cameras, expressed mixed feelings about the bill. Most of those interviewed Wednesday said they believe the cameras make the intersections safer, but they have concerns.
"On one hand, you're on a public road, so you're subjecting yourself to being photographed, but there's still a Big Brother issue," said Mark Spivey of Sandy Springs. "As long as they post a notice —- a sign saying 'Photo enforced' —- I guess I'm OK with it.
"Of course, if I get a ticket, I might be singing another song," he said.
Sandra Gray of Duluth said her husband "always worries" about getting caught by a camera. She said she sees the arguments for and against them, but she wants cameras at an intersection near her home, where backups push frustrated motorists to run the red light.
She said: "Put one at State Bridge and Medlock Bridge —- please!"
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Originally Posted by thinkfast®
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