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Red Light Cameras are Dangerous

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Macquack

Joined
23 April 2008
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I have been thinking for a long while how red light cameras are purported to be a road safety device but in fact could be increasing the risk and consequences of an accident.

As an example, if I am driving through an intersection that I know has a red light camera and the lights go orange, then I boot the accelerator to make sure I quickly get across the intersection. The decision to stop or continue on an orange light is a judgement decision every time. By going faster across the intersection after making the decision to continue reduces the chance of getting zapped by the camera.

Does anyone see where I am coming from with this?
 
Drive at a speed that allows you to stop if changes to yellow. So no not really.
 
Ardyne said:
Drive at a speed that allows you to stop if changes to yellow. So no not really.
Click to expand...

So Ardyne, you have never driven through a orange/yellow/amber light?

I know a few truckies that are looking for you.
 
Macquack said:
As an example, if I am driving through an intersection that I know has a red light camera and the lights go orange, then I boot the accelerator to make sure I quickly get across the intersection.
Click to expand...

Just the opposite with the red light cameras around my area, they all have speed detection units as well so if you speed up you may not get done for the red light but you will get done for speeding.

Saw a Porsche Boxster (european hairdressers car ) speed up on South Road one night a few months ago with the same intention, two camera flashes and he is probably $500 out of pocket but he may get the hint.
The car did look and sound great though, nice effort

South Australia as a state would probably be broke if it wasn't for the taxes on booze, smokes and bogans in commodores who cannot keep to a speed limit.

Bless their little cotton socks I say:hide:
 
how wide is an intersection? 12m i am guessing
the light is amber for 2.9 seconds and the camera arms after 1 second.

so u have 4 seconds after the camera goes amber to either stop b4 the intersection or cross the intersection

the distance u will travel at 60kph in 2.9 seconds (neglecting the camera arming time) is.......

speed
60*1000/60/60 = 16.66 m/s

distance travelled in 2.9 seconds

=48.3333 m

so is 36m a safe distance to slow a car from 60kmh to 0, hmmmm

i cant put in a link yet (4 posts not 5) but my resources says u need 38.6 m

So if u are paying atention to the lights and not speeding amd see the light change when u are 39m from the light u should make it through b4 the camera takes a photo of u

if my calcs are right then redlight cameras are not dangerous- no speeding or dangerous drivng required
 
Ardyne said:
Drive at a speed that allows you to stop if changes to yellow. So no not really.
Click to expand...

If you travel at the speed limit, the point at which it becomes touch and go requires strong braking if you choose to stop, and I would think is actually far more dangerous than entering on amber. Not choosing to safetly proceed through an amber light also unnecessarily holds up traffic.
 
Macquack said:
and the lights go orange, then I boot the accelerator to make sure I quickly get across the intersection. The decision to stop or continue on an orange light is a judgement decision every time.
Click to expand...

Just a follow up, road rule #57 eliminates the need for you to make that decision...

Stopping for a yellow traffic light or arrow
(1) A driver approaching or at traffic lights showing a yellow traffic light must stop:
(a) if there is a stop line at or near the traffic lights and the driver can stop safely before reaching the stop line ””
as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the stop line; or
(b) if there is no stop line at or near the traffic lights and the driver can stop safely before reaching the traffic lights ””
as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the nearest or only traffic lights; or
(c) if the traffic lights are at an intersection and the driver cannot stop safely in accordance with paragraph (a) or
(b), but can stop safely before entering the intersection ””
before entering the intersection;
and must not proceed past the stop line or nearest or only traffic lights, or into the intersection (as the case may be), until the traffic lights show a green or flashing yellow traffic light or no traffic light.


 
Couple of points here.

1) Red light cameras these days often incorporate speed cameras. So if you flatten the foot through the intersection you are liable to score big points for speeding.

2) In some of the more entrepreneurial states in America the introduction Red light cameras also coincided with the reduction in the amber cycle. Just to make sure more people were caught going through the red light... And then this resulted in some almighty rear end collisions as people made very late decisions to stop.
 
They really aren't increasing any danger, however they do not really have a function in reducing collisions anyway because of the 2sec time delay before a light going red and the other going green so you would have to run a red to be in risk of a collision. Isn't the risk of crashing far greater than the risk of getting a fine??
 
Stop at orange. Simple as that.

Just follow the rules. And if truckies are breaking the laws, then I sincerely hope that they get wrecked in fines, or better yet - lose their livelihoods. Driving something that's heavier than 10 ordinary cars, and a lot harder to stop - is entirely too dangerous to breaking any rules.

But, of course - you're probably a young gun expert of a driver who knows better than the legislation, right?
 
Nyden said:
But, of course - you're probably a young gun expert of a driver who knows better than the legislation, right?
Click to expand...

Yes, a 48 year old young gun with over 30 years driving experience.

Nyden said:
Stop at orange. Simple as that.
Click to expand...


Nyden, are you another one that has never driven through a orange light? You must be riding a push bike then.
 
As boggo said, all the red light cams here also have speed cameras on them, so stopping is the best idea. But if you are already into the orange light the red lights cameras have significant lag that you are not going to get busted the instant it turns red (this has happened to me and have never been pinged)
 
I personally cant see why something that reduces the likelyhood of someone running a red light to be dangerous...
 
bloomy88 said:
I personally cant see why something that reduces the likelyhood of someone running a red light to be dangerous...
Click to expand...

That's the point. Nobody with a brain intentionally drives through a red light. However, red light cameras are potential traps for the average motorist (see basilio's post #8).
 
bloomy88 said:
I personally cant see why something that reduces the likelyhood of someone running a red light to be dangerous...
Click to expand...

It may reduce the number of people that drive through red lights, but it could also contribute to people who slam on the brakes on the amber light, leading to any unattentive tailgaters to plough into them. Most people will probably blame the tailgater, but the fact is that the tailgater, the driver who stopped unsafely, and the red light camera all contribute, because one necessitates the other. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against red light cameras (should be treated worse than DUI), but simple statements usually oversimplify.
 
Macquack said:
That's the point. Nobody with a brain intentionally drives through a red light.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that is the problem, too many dont have a brain and that is why it happens, as well as road rage, drink driving and the list goes on. In my opinion the fines are not high enough especially for red light running and drink driving. Dont worry I am not preaching to be an angel and have had my fair share of fines over the years but red light runners and drink driving I despise.
I would prefer more police on the roads, but until then I am quite happy to have red light cameras operating hopefully making people more aware of the consequences of running a red light and to those who dont give a damn about running a red light enjoy your contribution to the state coffers.
 
Macquack said:
As an example, if I am driving through an intersection that I know has a red light camera and the lights go orange, then I boot the accelerator to make sure I quickly get across the intersection.
Click to expand...

I did this, this afternoon, here in Perth. Just as i entered the intersection, it turned Amber. It was a pretty big intersection, so l gave it a little. Not to worried about speed camera over here, they don't have fixed ones yet...

But yet, l did question to myself, do other people also give it a little to get through without getting snapped?
 

If you are already into the intersection when the light turns orange there is no possible way you can stop. So if you were to get caught by the camera you could easily appeal it. That's why its best to maintain the same speed if possible (i know its easier to say than it is to do)
 
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