geko29

It certainly is an accurate statement in Illinois. The various police departments here have been getting a lot of bad press lately for the explosion of red-light camera deployments. Of particular note are the hundreds installed at intersections that haven't had a SINGLE accident in years (some haven't had one in 15 years or more). Apparently they're setting them up to ticket people who (legally) right turn on red at very safe intersections, with the understanding that most won't bother to fight--a good assumption, since the conviction rate is 90%.

It's ALWAYS about the money...

mmarshall

The main problem, though, with the right-turn-on-red rule, is that many, if not most, people do not come to a full stop on red when turning right. In fact, some of them don't even bother to slow down....they simply take a brief glance to the left to check for traffic and barrel right through with the right turn. I see this constantly in NoVA, day in and day out.

The cameras, however, do NOT put any points on your driving record......they can't, because the camera usually can't determine who is driving the car. It simply sends a ticket (after local police review the data to see if it is warranted) to the address of the car's registered owner.

Stormforge

+1, i will seriously consider the iPhone when it's time to get a new phone

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

w00t, downloading it now.

rogers2

I think this is a great idea by iPHONE. (Cameras)This one of the main reasons I rarely even drive thru DC. I went out in DC on Saurday night so it's almost an 80% chance I'll probaly receiving a ticket in the mail.

It's all about money.

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

Why not leave the right on red to common sense though? I mean honestly, I see no reason to come to a complete stop if I'm pulling up to make a right turn and there is NO-ONE on the road, why should you stop? If you are clear headed and you CLEARLY see it's an open road, then right on red with no stopping shouldn't be illegal.

Stormforge

agreed. but rules are rules unfortunately.

SurfsUP

iTrader: (6)

Safety my @$$.

I live right next to a police sub station and everyday I see cops in patrol vehicles and own personal off duty vehicles speeding pass everyone at a very high rate of speed.

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

Abuse of power plain and simple. When I still had my SC my speedometer was kinda glitchy and apparently I was going 60 in a 45, but my speedometer only showed 52ish. Cop was way ahead of me speeding and jammed on his brakes and pulled behind me and pulled me over. His excuse for speeding was that he was on call.

geko29

I agree with you in concept. But in practice, they take a still picture of you because you crossed the line while the light was red. It's up to you to prove to the judge that you stopped, which is basically impossible.

This is true...especially since we don't have a point system here. But as I said before, it's all about the money, and points don't help them earn, so it's immaterial in these cases.

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't say its impossible.

I’d once received a red light ticket due to slick pavement, where I was able to prove there was a stop attempt, but failed due to hydroplaning. It didn't even make it to court, as I phoned the contact number, where the officer saw that my speed was below the limit to begin with, my brake lights were illuminated in both the before and after photos, but my speed was consistent, again due to hydroplaning. The camera took the photo, but it was thrown out upon review.

I'd imagine the same could be argued if the 1st photo in a red light ticket showed that the vehicle had come to a complete stop, as opposed to rolling through at a speed obviously above that which we would normally accelerate to, from a stop.

While that may seem okay in theory, I believe in actual practice, it poses a problem (not that people really obey the current law, anyway). Most drivers in the DC/VA/MD area, simply roll right through, as opposed to coming to a full stop. While it may seem to make sense if its clear, many times these people take it a step further, and attempt to beat traffic making a left turn, or traffic going straight, after the perpendicular green light.

I just don’t think enough drivers have the discipline to properly adhere to a revision in the law, to get behind changing it. I’m happy parts of MD allow for rights on red, as-is…it’s a pain going to other areas or states that don’t, and I’ve seen some intersections where they’ve decided to place “no right on red” signs, likely as a response to impatient drivers.

Faymester

You know, I think this will cause crashes to go up.

People with iPhones will have this app. These same people will now be looking at their phone A LOT more. Also, people will be driving along *check the phone* see omg speed trap ahead ***BRAKE***.

So DC should take all these speed traps out in order for safety to increase.


Oh I forgot to add, all those people who will now get the iPhone for this very app. They'll be driving along and trying to use the app & the iPhone in general.

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

you dont need to have the app open for it to work. also it can alert you like a normal radar dector. check out trapster.com which is the site for it.

Milla...

All this police chief did was advertise this app. Thanks, I had no idea this existed.

duboseq

I agree. That lady can eat a **** sandwhich!