Traffic cameras!!

[chryssi2001]

I don't know if this excists, in USA, or England or any other place.
Yesterday 1st day the first Traffic cameras were installed for testing at some traffic lights in all Cyprus.
Enough drivers were caught passing traffic lights with red and they will be sent a warning firstly and 2nd time they get a penalty.
Isn't this law violating private or freedorm rights?
I mean it's like of spying at you, like those cops who hide behind bushes holding a radar in the highway to get you while speeding.
How about your country?

[Guest117]

Of course the U.S. uses this technique, among many others. It's nothing new.
I was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany '71-'74, and, I think around '72, I received something in the mail. It was a pic of my license plate and the speed I was going and the fine I should pay. Quite amazed at the time.
So one has to figure that was 35 years ago and operational. So I'm kind of surprised it is not used more intensely with even more sophisticated equipment.
Smile!!! You're on Candid Camera (http://www.candidcamera.com/cc2/cc2.html).:) (you may not recognize the reference so I linked it;))

[chryssi2001]

lol Nick, we have Candid camera here, and those funny video productions.

This law about camera wasn't approved before, because of the violation as i said of privacy. Let's say a married man drives with his girlfriend in the car...
a simple example. Cameras were tested at a high point as a result of the example i gave above.
So i don't know how the law was approved now, but i can predict a lot of fines/penalties, especially in rush hours, morning, lunch time when all parents rush to get their children from schools...and go back to work in 1 hour-2 hours.
It is a kind of protection, but come on is there any driver who can say he didn't go through the lights with yellow and until he was on the other site it became red? It's just a matter of seconds in this case.
Well, we'll see how well it's going to run....
Hope i won't take a ticket like you....

[chryssi2001]

Don't think that stands for here, and i hope these cameras will help in less accidents!! Not just emptying drivers pockets!!

[Pi rules]

We don't have them in the city I live in, but when visiting MSOE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they had them by the highway.

Police Officers do sometimes hide, but if they didn't, people would just slow down while in sight of the car. I just wish people would always go the speed limit. It's there for a reason, but when I try to go the speed limit people get nasty and part of people's hands are put out the window (I think you know what I mean ;)).

[golfmore]

Look at the positive. No training people, no sick pay, no holidays, no reviews for advancement, quite cost effective.

[chryssi2001]

We don't have them in the city I live in, but when visiting MSOE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they had them by the highway.

Here cameras are in town not in any place near highway.

Police Officers do sometimes hide, but if they didn't, people would just slow down while in sight of the car.

So this hiding game of policemen is everywhere.

I just wish people would always go the speed limit. It's there for a reason, but when I try to go the speed limit people get nasty and part of people's hands are put out the window (I think you know what I mean ;)).
:pound: So either you want or not you drive with a higher speed that you want to.

[chryssi2001]

quite cost effective.

I agree and nice source of income i can say.

[chryssi2001]

Well these cameras, are just for police checking, not tv cameras.
We had a tv commercial around 6 months ago, and it was terible to watch.

[Terry Hanushek]

Traffic scofflaws, watch out

By Mitch Lipka
Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer

Philadelphia Traffic Court officials have a message for people who have been dodging payment of their traffic tickets:

They're coming after your car.

The court yesterday unveiled its latest effort to collect on unpaid tickets - a high-tech van that will creep along streets throughout the city scanning license plates to match them with a database of 46,000 scofflaws owing $36 million.
Scofflaw Scanner (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/15577931.htm)

After you have received (and not paid) your ticket(s) the Philadelphia Police will seek you you using this experimental, high-tech mobile scanning.

BTW About a year ago, Philadelphia started to use traffic cameras in high accident areas to ticket drivers running red lights. A revenue generator which is making the city safer.

Terry

[chryssi2001]

Wow, i suppose drivers running red lights in Philadelphia are too many.
$36 million.....
First you ticket them and then try to find them to pay the fines.
Well here it's easy to find drivers from Police records and car registration department.

The drivers whom the court is coming after must have more than $250 in ou***anding fines and have been found guilty of certain offenses, including driving without a license, driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance, or driving an unregistered vehicle.

Very interesting link. It seems if you have fines below $250 you pay nothing.

[Terry Hanushek]

Chryssi

Wow, i suppose drivers running red lights in Philadelphia are too many.
$36 million.....
Most of the unpaid tickets are for parking violations. In Philadelphia, there have been some legendary scofflaws who amass thousands of dollars in parking tickets knowing that enforcement has been lax. I tossed in the comment about red light violations to expand on your original traffic camera post.

First you ticket them and then try to find them to pay the fines.
Well here it's easy to find drivers from Police records and car registration department.
Identification is not the problem - finding the car and the driver is the concern.

Very interesting link. It seems if you have fines below $250 you pay nothing.
This high tech enforcement program is targeting drivers with a total of $250 or more of unpaid ticket. Lesser totals are still ou***anding but the authorities will wait until they voluntarily pay (or accumulate more tickets :eek: )

Terry

[jcampi]

I work for the NJ Dept. of Transportation and know we have at least hundreds of camera throughout the state of NJ. Most of the cameras are used for traffic incident management or operations. Right now it is against the law to issue tickets in NJ from the use of camera, but there is pending legislation that would allow it. I believe NY already can issue a ticket based on use of camera at traffic signals.
I think all of the paranoia about use of cameras along the highway is silly. Driving is a priviledge. You don't have a right of privacy in public on the highway or outdoors. If you follow the traffic laws why worry about the cameras?

[mommalina]

Terry wrote: BTW About a year ago, Philadelphia started to use traffic cameras in high accident areas to ticket drivers running red lights. A revenue generator which is making the city safer.

Terry, the traffic cameras may be preventing
traffic accidents. But the city is not safe, not
with a current mounting murder rate. ... :mad:

Lina

[dbarrow]

Well... my 25yrs as a cop (retired now).
Traffic enforcement was always on the agenda.
If you didn't, citizens complained about speeders on their streets, etc.
Yes, there were unoffical "quotas", always pressure to have X number of tickets per month and called on the carpet if you didn't.
Tickets generate revenue... we all know how politicians treat their pot of gold...

The difference between "ticket" and "warning" can depend on how big an A-hole you are. Cameras don't have that discretion which is sometimes important.
My motto always was: The more your mouth runs, the faster my pen writes. Some people were stupid enough to talk themselves into a complete vehicle inspection and tickets for equipment violations. Some were even dumb enough to pick a fight and land in a jail cell.
Some were even stupid enough to tell the judge off in court! (never argue with the man in the black robe!)
Over the years, I had to conclude that there is a certain percentage of the general population that are so stupid, ignorant, arrogant that they shouldn't have a driver's license period!

[dbarrow]

I shouldnt have had a ticket.. i did flutter my eyelashes at him

Oh, that's nothing compared to what I saw over 25yrs...
Bared chests, hiked skirts, outright offers of sex, cash, etc.
You name it....

But one I always fell for, having been there myself,
Shift around side to side in the seat with that obvious look and excitedly state "I really have to go NOW!"

[mommalina]

During my 20 years of driving, I never got a ticket but came close
twice.

In both instances, I think the cop may have singled me out
because of my bumper sticker: I dreamt I smoked pot for a
month last night. My teenage daughter drove my car most
of the time, and I figured the cops would keep a good eye on
her. Worked! She's still the best driver of all of my kids, and
one of the most responsible.

Once stupid me was listening to the radio through ear phones.
I did not know that was unlawful and apologized for not
knowing better. And I think the stiff neck collar I was wearing
may have softened the cop's heart.

Another time, I went through a stop sign in our small community.
I apologized and told the cop that I wasn't paying attention
because I was trying to see who was driving his patrol car --
I thought it might be my next-door neighbor, also a cop.
Either the stiff neck collar played into my not getting a
ticket, or perhaps he thought my next-door neighbor would
get it "fixed" anyway.

Lina

[jcampi]

Nick, not all of the cameras are located on the signal posts. There are many camera on independent posts that can zoom and pan around 180 degrees. Even some of the camera on the signal posts can move and be adjusted.

[Guest117]

Over the years, I had to conclude that there is a certain percentage of the general population that are so stupid, ignorant, arrogant that they shouldn't have a driver's license period!
As a compulsive speeder, I have to agree with you completely.
When I have been caught, I am "Yes Sir, No Sir", and no excuses.
Only two types of drivers I see on the road:
That slow-poke in front of me and that maniac speeding up behind me.
Seriously though, I have never caused an accident. They are caused by the quote above. Some old codger pulls up to a stop sign from a side street, looks at you coming down the road, pauses and counts to 3, and then pulls right out in front of you and goes 20mph slower than you were going. Had the idiot waited 1 more second to let me through, they then could pull out safely and go their 10mph. But nooooooooooooooooooooo. Horn/Finger makes no difference as they are oblivious to anyone else on the road.:ban:

P.S. Funny. Once I was crossing 3 mile bridge where the next county uses air patrol to watch speeders on their side of the bridge. I cruised in one day and there they were, in force, pulling people over in a line. They wave me in.
I had my d/l, insurance, and registration ready. He comes to my window and says, "Excuse me, Sir, but we meant to get that black car behind you. Have a good day." You too. Bye.:D

[dbarrow]

Sit in traffic court some day if you really want to get some serious laughs...

Watch guy explaining all about his "rights" to the judge.
Watch the judge getting peeved.
Watch the guy walking home...

It really does get funny sometimes!

[Guest117]

Sit in traffic court some day if you really want to get some serious laughs...
I'm a sadist. I sit close to radar traps and watch people get pulled over.
As I drive by they never look too happy.:rolleyes:

I have also gone to the court house to sit in on traffic court just for kicks.
I like the excuses and jail house lawyers trying to wiggle out of a fine.
Sad part is they wind up paying more than if they just pleaded no contest and paid the fine. The ticket tries to scare one into just paying the fine and not go to court as they may be charged 5X the fine and possible jail.
Scare tactics if you ask me and not really fair.

Think before you say anything in front of a judge. Don't admit wrong doing.
"But Your Honor, I was not doing 20mph over the speed limit but only 10mph over." DUH!!!!! Judge: "OK. Still speeding. Pay the $XX fine and court costs.":frown:

I did dispute a ticket received on a military base where I was stationed.
Had to go before a Magistrate. First thing when I entered I was offered a settlement to pay half the fine and get it over with. I elected to not pay and see the Magistrate. The MP (military police) that gave me the ticket did not show up and case dismissed. I really did have an excuse. As the cruising MP shot me with the radar gun, another car in the inside lane was passing me.
I really think gun pinged that car and not mine. Maybe that is why that MP did not show as I argued that same point as he was writing the ticket.
Crazy, huh?:D

[dbarrow]

Dirty little secret about court...
Due to the massive volume of cases, it would be impossible to have a trial on every one.
The prosecutor spends the first hour or so of the court session trying to get as many as possible to plead guilty to avoid time consuming trials. They usually offer to reduce the charge to the lowest fine or points, merge multiple charges together, and otherwise offer the easiest way out.

Another way out is postponements, each side is allowed to postpone the case at least once for scheduling conflicts if necessary witnesses (the issuing officer) are not present or readily available. A not guilty plea, if the officer isn't in court, will result in a postponement to another date. If, on the next date, the officer isn't in court, the judge will dump the case to save time. You can enter a not guilty plea and request a postponement for any reasonable excuse the first appearance but after that, don't press your luck or pressure the judge.

In a case, like a traffic accident, where you indicate you are going to call multiple witnesses to testify, they know this will be a long and drawn out trial which can take over an hour. If you have a four to six hour court session with hundreds of cases to dispose of, this really throws a wrench into moving cases. The prosecutor will often try anything to wiggle out of that and sometimes even dismiss the case for the sake of efficiency of the court. You may have to sit the whole court session out when they move it to the end of the list. Once the courtroom is cleared out, so as not to give other people the same bright idea of a way out, the judge will call you near the end and dismiss the case just to be rid of you.

Unless you are absolutely, positively sure you have a winning case, enter a not guilty plea and then negotiate the best settlement you can with the prosecutor before going to a full trial. Facts may come out in testimony that bore, irk, or otherwise strain the patience of the judge or add weight to the gravity of the offense. Fines have minimum and maximum levels determined by statute and the judge has much latitude in sentencing. A PO'd judge tends to levy the maximums.
It don't take much to PO a judge who has been sitting in that chair for hours and is probably tired, hungry, and has to pee. They often have very little patience or sympathy as they have already heard every excuse ever invented.