Heh. Suburbs' red-light camera revenues on the blink - people obeying law, revenues down

[The Straight Story]

Suburbs' red-light camera revenues on the blink
Fewer tickets, less money prompt some to take new look at enforcement

Former Bellwood administrator Roy McCampbell once compared red-light cameras to a lottery or casino — a "guaranteed amount of money."

But as the cameras reduce the number of drivers who roll through red lights, the number of $100 fines is also dropping.

In Bellwood, which in late 2006 became the first suburb to install the cameras, photographed violations brought in $1.1 million at their peak in 2008, instead of the projected $1.5 million to $2 million. Revenues dropped almost by half last year, and officials say net revenues this year are near $250,000.

"I don't think it ever got close," said chief of staff Peter Tsiolis. "If you are anticipating $1.5 million and get $250,000, yes, there is disappointment."

The village's experience is being played out in other suburbs that once promoted them as a safety device that could also generate millions of dollars. But the revenue they've produced often has been less than anticipated, sometimes much less.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-red-light-camera-20101219,0,1785634.story

[Turbineguy]

1. The cameras would still work well in Florida.

They could put them up by stops signs too.

And driveways.

Just about anywhere the view would not be blocked by personal injury lawyer advertisements.

[Edweird]

13. We have them in Florida. All over. It's not rocket science.

You know where the cameras are and adjust your driving habits accordingly. There will still be the usual contingent of inattentive arrogant A-holes - but that's on them.

[Crystal Clarity]

15. Or, there's always the good old fashioned warning system

meant to help only the non-arrogants. ;-)

[DainBramaged]

2. What are they going to do, have a cop sit there and trigger the light

so they can give out phony tickets?


It's NEVER about safety, it's ALWAYS about money.

[ChazII]

36. Exactly. n/t

[HopeHoops]

3. I'd seen an article a while back about a guy with a cherry picker truck putting hoods on them.

He just set up cones, put on a reflective vest and hard hat, and covered the fuckers up.

[sofa king]

4. I love one of those lights.

No, really. My silly town has hundreds of pressure-activated stoplights that cannot read the presence of a motorcycle or scooter, leaving all of us riders dependent upon heavier vehicles to move through town. I have to walk my scoot across a red intersection every single day (which I'm told is illegal).

But, I discovered, flashing the town's new lotto-light with high beams instantly triggers a yellow light on cross traffic, meaning that I never have to stop for that one light. It might not be legal, but since 50cc mopeds don't require tags, we're all grey cats at night to The Man.

Another interesting thing about our new light in our very old redneck city where one out of three people has a hunting license and a rifle: the camera is unprotected and has survived almost 90 days. I figured a ticket in the mail would be a virtual invitation to take matters into ones' own hands, but so far, nobody's gone and done the obvious thing... yet.

[AndyTiedye]

35. They Even Shoot at Road Signs, Surely a Camera That Issues Tickets Would be Far More Tempting

[sofa king]

37. You would think, but folks are pretty chill around here.

Or maybe nobody has found a clear shot yet. Or maybe the idea that everyone else is riding around with a rifle and how knows how many concealed carry permit weapons makes the idea unwise. Unwiser. More unwise.

It seems to be surprisingly rare, now that I think of it. Here's a story from 2007:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7179472

But I don't see much beyond that. Maybe it's just not widely reported anymore, or maybe the successful attempts go unreported. Or, maybe most people know that even though it's fun to think about, it's a terrible idea that should never be attempted.

[AndyTiedye]

8. In the UK, Traffic Cameras Often Suffer from Spontaneous Combustion

[HopeHoops]

9. LOL! Gee! I wonder how THAT happens.

:rofl:

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. Seen that happen here a few times

Way to tempting a target not to moneywrench

[WingDinger]

25. Given that the camera cos. buy them, and lease service, that would make them flee quickly.

The scum set them up to get shorter and shorter yellows in Orange County. Judge shut them down for three years. Now, they are on every corner. Cops are violently against anyone not having a front plate for these reasons. Motorcycle had inset plate, they stopped me twice in fifeteen minutes. Now, I have it tilted near horizontal. Cops can see it real well as the car sits up higher than I. Camera sees a plate that is near invisible. Screw them. Too many lights dont trip for bikes.

[AndyTiedye]

30. More Pix

http://www.speedcam.co.uk/gatso2.htm

[WingDinger]

34. gorgeous. I'm so glad we can use that word again.

[geardaddy]

5. They were struck down as unconstitutional here in Minneapolis

The cameras are still up, but they don't work anymore.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. Hm. Are you sure?

They may not automatically issue tickets, but tell me just once that any govt. entity had authority to video people, AND STOPPED USING IT.

My guess is that the video is still hooked up, but that the they don't issue tix off of them. If there is a huge collision, or some crime, wanna bet that the images suddenly are "found?"

[geardaddy]

12. You're probably right.

They don't issue tickets, but they may still be used to view crime or whatever.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

19. I don't have such a benign view of it, although that

use that you describe might exist.

The entire city of central london is now under surveillance. Do you know what impact that has had on crime? Zip.
Chicago's downtown (The Loop) is either under public or private surveillance, or both. Crime? same level as before Big Brother.

This story can be repeated over and over.

[rbixby]

28. If you look around at most intersections downtown

There's cameras hanging from the traffic lights, I'm sure somewhere there's someone watching hundreds of monitors.

[geardaddy]

39. I haven't noticed the cameras downtown

I'll have to look next time I'm down there.

[Sanity Claws]

7. So, it really was just about money

Nice to see my belief vindicated.

[RB TexLa]

10. Of course it is. If they wanted to stop people from running red lights, they would set the fine at

$5,000 and enforce it. After the first person either had to pay the 5k or spend however much time in jail, people would not run red lights.

[apocalypsehow]

31. Exactly right. n/t.

[Ernesto]

11. I just don't have a front license plate.......

Been driving that way for 5 years..... no problem.

[HopeHoops]

14. We don't have them either (PA) - the things get a shot of the driver and a second rear shot.

Nasty bastards. They're all over the PA Turnpike (speeding tickets).

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. I wear a full face helment and my plate is tucked under a bag an not visible to the camera

Then again I ride a motorcycle...

[RamboLiberal]

23. Are you sure about PA turnpike having speed cameras?

I don't think so. Haven't read or heard anything about it and figure it would be a big topic on talk radio. I know they do have cameras to catch those toll breakers and traffic cams.

[HopeHoops]

26. I'm pretty sure. I don't have a reference handy and really just popped in for a few minutes.

I'm not sure why they need them anyway. The plan is to do away with all tollbooth attendants and go to an entirely electronic payment system. They won't even be printing the toll costs on the tickets anymore - just the exit numbers and names. All they have to do is run a simple calculation (on/off times & miles driven) to figure out if you were speeding. Sure, getting off at a rest stop will mess with that, but for those who don't you'll be easy to cross-reference to the electronic payment for an automated ticket in the mail. Welcome to Minority Report.

[RamboLiberal]

33. I think you are wrong on the speeding cameras

Or the toll cameras being used for such. I think they can send you a warning letter if you speed through the EZ Pass lanes.

I know I would've seen or heard this in the news.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. Required in CA unless you are on a motorcycle

[Ernesto]

21. A simple fix-it ticket is much, much cheaper

than a red light violation.
BTW, I live Cal.

[MagickMuffin]

20. I ran a red light after sitting there for over 5 minutes

At the intersection the east - west street has the most traffic, the north - south not as much. So, after sitting through the light a couple of times and the southbound cars got there green light which should have changed on my side, I decided to run it. Of course I made sure there were no cars around.

As soon as I got home I called the police to inform them the light had a problem, and that I ran the light and not to issue me a ticket. I was informed that the cameras are controlled by an outside company, and if I got a ticket to disregard it. The dispatch took down the info of what intersection light was broken. I never received a ticket.

My little city has these cameras at nearly every light, most of them are mounted above the red lights. However, they have also purchased the kind that are mounted on the side of the road. I'm not sure what kind those are if they can detect speed or if someone is just running red lights. Either way I think they are a waste of revenue that could have been put to better use in my community, such as the library.

[apocalypsehow]

22. I think that's hilarious. n/t.

[lame54]

24. That proves what bullshit tickets are...

they claim that tickets are to make a community safer - then something comes along and does just that (fewer red lights run) and they complain that they are not making enough cash

tickets = state revenue

the working class are the ones targeted

[progressoid]

27. "yes, there is disappointment"

There is disappointment in the lack of cash. Nevermind about that whole public safety thing.

[Mariana]

32. You'd think they'd be ashamed to say such a thing.

But they don't seem to be. Even if they really THINK the money is more important than people's lives, I'm surprised that they go on record SAYING things like this. What kind of person sees nothing wrong with publicly saying this?

[Mariana]

29. Several towns and cities have been caught shortening

the yellow light times so as to make it difficult or impossible to safely avoid running the red.

I think anyone involved in doing something like that - CREATING a hazardous situation on purpose so the cities can rake in more bucks - belongs in prison for a long time.

[X_Digger]

38. Some TX suburbs did that.. and got busted for it.

I'll google the link tomorrow. Really nasty business, since they shortened the yellow to less than the state mandated minimum.