Some Seattle cameras will start automatically ticketing drivers blocking crosswalks, intersections

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Starting in March, some new traffic cameras in Seattle will start automatically ticketing drivers blocking crosswalks and intersections around the city.

The Seattle Department of Transportation and the Seattle Police Department will gradually turn on eight cameras around the city over the course of a few weeks.

The cameras take photos of cars blocking crosswalks and intersections or illegally driving in bus lanes.

The first time a driver is caught, they will be mailed a warning letter. New violations after that will earn you a $75 ticket.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/some-seattle-cameras-will-start-automatically-ticketing-drivers-blocking-crosswalks-intersections/ar-AATX2s5

[Farmer-Rick]

1. If you enter the intersection when the light is green

How is it your fault if the traffic doesn't let you move forward?

Even in my very rural area where traffic is very light, you can get stuck in a crosswalks when your crystal ball isn't working.

[CottonBear]

2. You don't enter unless there is room to cross completely. NT

[Farmer-Rick]

3. Sometimes it looks like you can turn.

The traffic looked empty until that old lady decided to turn into the lane you were expecting to be clear when you started your turn. Now traffic picks up and won't let you cross. Then you are stuck because the light turns red. Do you expect drivers to back up then? Or rush through the turn and hope?

Also, sometimes you come to a light you thought just turned green. Lots of hilly roads here and suddenly coming onto a light is not unusual. So then it changes while you are in it. Should you back up?

Looks to me like this is an accident waiting to happen. You can not predict 100 percent of the time if you will be able to cross the intersection when you start. Some intersections are very large and have several lights controlling them and making predictions on if your turns will be 100 percent successful is pure guess work. Maybe in a perfect world where all I intersections are perfectly managed and controlled, this would work.

There are so many problems with this. Sounds to me like it is only designed to get revenue to compensate for the rich not paying their taxes and not to control traffic safely. Glad I don't live there.

[CottonBear]

5. Good points, however, I tend to err on the side of caution.

I live in a college town and am, as a result, am a very defensive driver.

We have signs that say DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION and huge X shaped, painted pavement marking. People still stop right in the middle of the intersections.

[Farmer-Rick]

6. Yeah, there is no law against this where I live.

Here is what the handbook says....but this is not in the law.

"Faced with a red light, a driver has to stop behind the crosswalk line and can't enter the intersection. But if it is not a red-light violation "unless the front tires of a vehicle cross the stop line after the signal is red.""

So, as long as you enter the intersection when the light was green, you can keep going even if the light later turns while you are in the intersection. Just edit to add yeah, if there is a sign that takes precedent.

I discovered a whole giant controversy about this on a Nashville website. I had no idea this is controversial.