Written by Cameras will enforce red lights and speeding
The Renton Police department is proposing red light cameras, similar to the ones installed last year in the City of Auburn, to catch people running red lights. The typical red-light camera takes a photo of the driver’s face and the automobile license plate, and a $100 ticket (approximately) is mailed to the driver. The ticket must be paid, but it is not recorded on the drivers record as a moving violation (since there was no interaction with a police officer). The cameras have been shown to save lives, so they are generally supported by lawmakers, although they sometimes leave drivers feeling angry.
Renton is also considering speed cameras in school zones. It’s a similar concept, but obviously reacts to speeding instead of red-light running. The speed camera has to be identified with a sign in order to be legal under state law. if the council approves this, one of the locations would be on Edmonds Avenue Northeast, in front of McKnight Middle School. Another location would be SE Second St, in front of Renton High.
How do you Rentonites feel about these high-tech solutions? Are they brilliant new safety measures, or are they the watchful glare of big-brother interfering with your freedom… or perhaps you don’t see much of a difference. I would enjoy hearing your comment!
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Comments recieved on this blog on RentonWA myspace site:
Mikel
Where does it all stop? Before you know it, they’ll have cameras in the restroom making sure you remember to flush behind yourself. If not, you’ll receive $101 ticket in the mail along with a picture of your face and copies of your fingerprints off the door handle. How do we know they aren’t watching those cameras 24/7 in real time, and not just in a still photo as they say. What does it cost to purchase an industrial duty vandal proof system like this? I have a child, and I do agree that people drive at reckless speeds through our school zones and intersections. And I believe that this may help the problem, but I disagree with the “threat” of cameras everywhere just so people will discipline themselves. I think the real time radar speed limit signs and occasional police presence will help curb some of this activity.
Posted by Mikel On Monday, April 16, 2007 at 9:41 PM
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Hoover
AGAINST.
Posted by Hoover On Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 1:08 AM
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karin
I’m in favor of it. you get a ticket, but your insurance doesn’t go up. plus has ANYONE had the experience of wnting to go through YOUR green light and 5 (yes 5!) cars are STILL turning left! and what got me was person #5 was looking at me like I was the idiot for honking at him!
Posted by karin On Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 1:06 PM
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Derek
Totally in favor. I hate those people who try to fly though when the light is somewhere between yellow and red (orange maybe?) and those endless people trying to squeek in on those turning arrows. I’ve never had a problem with following most traffic laws (though I have been known to speed upto 5 mph over the posted speed limit occassionally )
Posted by Derek On Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 11:23 PM
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lilkaraokediva
As a life long pedestrian I think there should be a LOT more of these cameras out there!!!
The person who said she waited as FIVE CARS turned left at a light….well my dear, imagine a pedestrian TRYING to cross the street when the same amount of cars goes thru the light! On more then one occasion I’ve actully mades comments VERY loudly, and on those occasions when I was heard I was shown the middle finger for my efforts. Oh and there was that one time that I was in the MIDDLE of the intersection and a car went flying by me after flying down the hill and blowing thru the light with no obvious concern for anyone or anything in his path. By the way, this is the same intersection area where the mother of King 5’s Elisa Hahn was hit by TWO hit and run drivers.
Unforunately red light running has become just as regular an offense as people running stop signs and failing to yeild to us pesky pedestrians!!!
So yep… I’m all for it. Although I think the ticket needs to be a LOT more expensive, cuz to the folks with really expensive cars, 100 bucks is like spare change. Habitual offenders should be sentenced to a week or two of taking the bus and trying to get accross the street and then MAYBE they’ll learn to follow the law!!!
Just my dollars worth 🙂
Posted by lilkaraokediva On Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 8:29 PM
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camera’s at intersections
I am behind this 100%. The few minutes lost at a red light is not worth losing a life over.
Regarding the school zones, I would like to sidewalks along all elementary school routes.
Jan Hickling
Talbot Hill neighbor
While cameras make me think of big brother, the red light running situation around here is getting pretty bad, so go for it. I’m not as enthusiastic about speeding cameras – per one of the earlier posts, will it stop at school zones? And in a school zone, will you get a ticket for going 21 mph in a 20 mph zone? Will you get a ticket when children are not out on the street because they are clearly all in class? And will you get a ticket at 3 AM when school is not in session? It’s a slippery slope to start down…
Mark Hancock, Kennydale
Make Money Not Sense
I’ve read about these cameres. Yeah a private contractor will check the legality of the violation, fat chance they’ll be impartial. As for Law Enforcement checking out these photos, c’mon, they’re not taking officers off the street for this are they? If not whose going to check the photos, a meter maid? There have been other incidents I’ve read of where these cameras have not worked properly. I think it’s a big franchise that’s being sold to local governments because they see an income stream whether these things work as represented or not.