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Automotive News & Views Traffic Laws & Enforcement Tactics
540 messages, Last post on Sep 21, 2009 at 12:22 PM
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I don't like arbitrary use of red light cameras either. And I don't run red lights. If you don't run red lights then you really shouldn't care if they have red light cameras. Luckily Texas is getting closer to reality, Thats like saying Pluto is getting closer to the sun. |
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..."If you don't run red lights then you really shouldn't care if they have red light cameras. "... I would not agree with the quoted sentiment at all, even as I am not a red light runner. But then, even the LAW (as written and adjudicated) is conflicted about this. If you are hit by a CLEARLY at fault red light runner (or you hit an obvious red light runner), in the state of CA, you as the victim can be found partially to fully at fault!!!! This is of course a travesty and dead wrong in my .02 cent opinion. However the law does state that it is against the law to proceed even when it is YOUR GREEN if it is not clear to do so. Again anyone can goggle for the EXACT wording. So as you can see in adjudicating the law MY opinion does not matter much. !!! Things are truly NOT as one would expect either from common sense or whatever one would consider rational. |
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The keep right except to pass rule only applies to multi lane limited access highways and not to roads with cross traffic and the ability to make left turns onto or off of. In this case it is not being inconsiderate. But driving in such a manner as to impede traffic, like driving slow right next to someone else keeping traffic from passing. Not in AZ.  When it says preparing to make a left turn, it doesn't mean two miles away either. I see cars all the time driving for miles in the left lane going 5-10 under looking for their left turn. "28-721. Driving on right side of roadway; exceptions B. On all roadways, a person driving a vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall drive the vehicle in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway." |
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In addition to what ruking1 said, there is the muddy defintion of what the intersection actually is. I thought it was pretty clear until I read AZ's definition: "'Intersection' means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways that join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling on different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict. If a highway includes two roadways thirty or more feet apart, each crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway is a separate intersection. If the intersecting highway also includes two roadways thirty or more feet apart, each crossing of two roadways of the highways is a separate intersection."  You aren't supposed to get a ticket for running a red light unless you are in the area above. Simply crossing the sidewalk doesn't cut it. But, our redlight cameras will happily snap the pictures for those that aren't in and then tickets get issued. I have a particularly difficult time figuring out the extent of the intersection at off-ramps when the right turn lane curves to the right. In some places it would seem that I could make the turn without ever entering the "intersection". 
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I think also we should not drift too far from the "reality", in that while it is rarer than other forms of fatalities, a "T bone" accident can be very deadly and/or far more injurious. Evidently AZ and CA law is more concerned with the PC ness of it all !!?? 
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I think also we should not drift too far from the "reality", in that while it is rarer than other forms of fatalities, a "T bone" accident can be very deadly and/or far more injurious. Evidently AZ and CA law is more concerned with the PC ness of it all !!?? What makes it more bizzare is that Phoenix is the worst for red light runners. You'd think the state with the problem at it's worst would be more interested cracking down on it (tighter laws, real posted officers), rather than slapping a band-aid on (cameras that lazy about the pictures they take). |
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The best cure for redlight running is having policemen who hang around watching for those. Having cameras at certain intersections doesn't work other than to collect money. Having a real policeman moving from intersection to intersection paying special attention to red light running and blocking the intersection, et cetera, will help. I can show you a light 1/2 mile from two red light cameras in Dayton where it is regularly run. Why? No policemen ever in that area watchng. I've seen three cars run that light. |
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The best cure for redlight running is having policemen who hang around watching for those. Having cameras at certain intersections doesn't work other than to collect money. Having a real policeman moving from intersection to intersection paying special attention to red light running and blocking the intersection, et cetera, will help. Phoenix did that for a little while and it WORKED. Don't know why they quit though. Maybe they don't have enough officers. |
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I noticed a while back that many of the major intersections in town have, what look to be, cameras in them. Some even have multiple. I am not sure of their purpose other than to monitor activity at those locations. I used to see a gal sitting at these same major intersections in a state vehicle, so I wonder if they are just replacing man power with machine. I think intersection monitoring is a good tool (and cameras can record), but then it does lead to possible misuse. -- I wonder if hauling 20' lumber in an 8' bed is inconsiderate. I noticed that a lot of other drivers made a point to keep ahead of me on the roadway yesterday coming home....  It rode perfectly though, frost heaves and wash boards be darned! It paid off to load it thoughtfully, secure it well, and slow down when necessary.
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