[Scan-DC] VSP video cameras on car

[Andrew Clegg]

Is there a "grace period" after the light turns from yellow to red, before
the traffic cameras snap a picture of a red-light runner? Or does the camera
take a picture of any car entering the intersection at the very instant the
light turns red? It seems to me that I have entered an intersection with a
camera a millisecond after the light turns red and have not been ticketed.
(I don't make a habit of doing this, but one time I was behind a truck and
couldn't see that the light was turning until it was too late for me to stop
safely.)

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Larry Sampas
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 8:22 AM
To: scan-dc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] VSP video cameras on car


There are national standards, and cities have been found guilty of
violating them:
http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/04/red_light_cameras_yello
w_light.php
(among many, many posts across the intertubes)

Localities are increasingly turning to automated fine-collection as a
means to increase revenue in a down economy. The local politicians get
credit for avoiding tax increases and cracking down on "criminals."
For a few dollars in campaign contributions to help steer contracts,
companies putting these systems together get a practically guaranteed
revenue stream. The police have better things to do than write tickets
but don't want to see their budgets cut.

It's win-win for everyone except us. In a few years, all traffic
enforcement could be privatized. If you think that's far-fetched,
think about HOT lanes under construction now.

There's far fewer watchdogs at the state, county and municipal levels
than at the federal.

On the other hand, using automated license plate recognition software
to catch stolen cars will reduce auto insurance rates for all of us.

On Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 8:04 AM, Sheldon Daitch <sdaitch at kuw.ibb.gov> wrote:
> David,
>
> I understand it being a city standard, but I would
> also think it should be a national standard, based on the
> criteria I mentioned in the earlier post.  And if there are
> standards, they should be accessible to the public for
> review.
>
> Thanks,
> Sheldon
>
>
>
> cohenner at gmail.com wrote:
>> There is a yellow light standard. Here in Baltimore, when the red light
cameras were first introduced, there was a court case that was filed because
people stated the yellow light times had been changed to be shorter, thus
creating more inventory for the city. I believe the city said at the time
that yellow lights had to be maintained, at a minimum, for 3 seconds. Of
course, that varies based on the findings of the traffic survey done prior
to putting up the lights. If conditions warrant, the length of a yellow
light can be extended as necessary.
>>
>>
>>
>> David
>>
>>
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