Home > Waco Breaking News > Archives > 2009 > January > 06 > Entry
Waco City Council considering cameras to catch red light scofflaws
The Waco City Council told city administrators tonight to propose an ordinance that would allow the use of cameras to catch drivers who run red lights.
Administrators reported to the council during the work session that the city stands to make money off of the red light cameras, via red light violations at $75 per citation.
Police Chief Brent Stroman said the cameras will help enforce red light laws at intersections that are simply too big for Waco Police officers to cover.
Assistant City Manager Joe Mayfield said the ordinance could be brought before the Council as soon as Jan. 20.
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Comments
By Sailor Girl
January 6, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
The story says it all - the city plans “to make money off the red light cameras.” Rarely does it get reported that red light cameras typically cause more accidents than they prevent. This all about lining the city coffers when tax revenues are declining.
By Me
January 6, 2009 8:49 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I agree. Red light cameras are about revenue generation, not traffic laws. They’ll probably not even have to pay anything to have them installed, and let the camera company have a cut of the revenue. I think anyone who is in an rear ender accident at one of these intersections should be able to sue the city and the camera company.
By Alice in Wacoland
January 6, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Yes! The City Council should approve the cameras to catch the idiots who run red lights. If you run thru a toll stop, you get your picture taken & get a bill in the mail - so why shouldn’t you get the same if you run a red light? Of course traffic fines are a revenue source for our city, as they are for all cities (duh). Would you rather the city stop making money off of fines, and raise your taxes higher instead? I’d like to know where Sailor Girl got her information that red light cameras cause accidents. What causes accidents is people thinking they can get away with running the lights. Our city needs to do everything possible to deter this.
By Randy
January 6, 2009 10:34 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Some people will start slamming on their brakes as soon as they see the yellow light. So be very careful about the person in front of you when the light changes yellow or you may rear-end them and end up with a wrecked car on top of getting a ticket.
If they install the cameras, then we should demand that the amount of time that the yellow light is displayed should be ample, maybe even lengthened, in order to make it across the street before the red light comes on.
By Realist
January 6, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Sailor Girl is right. It rarely gets reported that red light cameras cause more accidents than they prevent because it ain’t true. THere is an increase in rear end accidents, and a dramatic drop off in t-bone accidents. Rear end accidents are much more survivable.
By mike
January 7, 2009 12:12 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
yes, it’s much safer if people are allowed to continue running red lights. ;) so, i disagree with most here. i have been hoping for the day when the cameras get mounted! way too often i see people flying thru VERY red lights and it’s irritating, not to mention dangerous and (moment of clarity here) against the law. maybe if they see cameras around, they’ll actually gasp start stopping at the red lights! or maybe even slow down…
By Don
January 7, 2009 1:27 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I find it interesting that Waco is wanting to put them in as other cities who have put them in are taking them out because they have created more problems than they solve.
As long as the cameras obey the law, then I really don’t have a problem with them. However, if you are stuck in the middle of an intersection when a light turns red, you still have to clear the intersection, so don’t be taking my picture. If an emergency vehicle is trying to get through a busy intersection, you may have to clear the way at a red light, so don’t be taking my picture. If you are going through an intersection with a short yellow light (these exist by the dozen), and the light turns red while I am in the intersection, I still have to clear the intersection, so don’t be taking my picture.
Many intersections in Waco do not follow the yellow light rule. Yellow stays lit for 12 seconds before turning red. Not 4, 5, or 6.
A driver is still responsible for ensuring they stop safely at an intersection to avoid side and rear end collisions. They have to use their judgment at a yellow light as to whether they can safely slow down and prepare to stop without causing a wreck. Real red light runners run the red light regardless.
The city can solve a lot of its traffic problems on New Road heading toward Walmart if they would add an extended right turn only lane at New Road and Valley Mills, New Road and Waco Drive, and New Road and Franklin Avenue. A lot of the congestion is caused by people turning right from the straight through right lane which slows down cars trying to go through the intersection.
By Randy
January 7, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
The truth test:
If the law states that you get a ticket if your car is in the intersection when the red light comes on, then they’re just after the money.
If the law states that you only get a ticket if the red light is on BEFORE you enter the intersection then their intent is actually in the public interest.