Texas Town Shortens Yellows, Boosts Revenues

[joedog]

autos.aol.com/article/short-yellow-lights-revenue
Short Yellow Lights Mean More Tickets, Money For Cities


Recent studies of the effects and usage of red light cameras at intersections in Texas brought the website The Newspaper to the same conclusion that many motorists have: it's about revenue.

First let's look at some numbers: according to the NHTSA there were 34,017 fatal crashes in 2008, with 11,179 of them - and more than 800,000 injuries - attributed to speeding. Most of those fatalities occurred somewhere other than the Interstate, where the speed limit was under 55 miles per hour. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 260,000 "vehicle incidents" from people running red lights, resulting in almost 900 deaths.

That's 11,179 deaths vs. 900 deaths. In 2006, when traffic fatalities were higher, speeding was deemed the number one cause of death for people ages four to 34.

Yet the IIHS reports that as of December, 2009 only 52 communities use speed cameras. The number of communities that use red light cameras: 442. Almost nine times as many cities employ red light cameras for the stated goal of increasing safety even though speeding appears to be far more deadly.

[Deleted]

Mayor Glasscock reported that someone had been clocked at 105 mph through the Dayton Boulevard / Ashland Terrace intersection.

I heard no mention tonight of using the existing cameras for speed control, but you can figure I'd be in favor of doing so. I'm pretty sure the cameras could be used for speed control without modification, but as always, I could be wrong.

Dorsey reported that Red Bank sales tax income has remained steady for the past three years, so he concludes that there has not been a loss of business to Red Bank because of the cameras.

[joedog]

Jan 5, 2010 22:01:50 GMT -5 @yodanbr2 said:

Dorsey reported that Red Bank sales tax income has remained steady for the past three years, so he concludes that there has not been a loss of business to Red Bank because of the cameras.

Yet there is less business' open in RB compared to a year ago...... HMMMM

[Police Moderator]

Mayor Glasscock reported that someone had been clocked at 105 mph through the Dayton Boulevard / Ashland Terrace intersection.

That was me, but I had the speed van's tag on my car.

[gridbug]

I heard no mention tonight of using the existing cameras for speed control, but you can figure I'd be in favor of doing so. I'm pretty sure the cameras could be used for speed control without modification, but as always, I could be wrong.

Nope, you're right. In a Council meeting I heard the Chief himself say that the cameras do clock your speed, they just aren't writing tickets on that yet.

Has anyone suggested to them that shorter yellow lights would increase city revenue in Red Bank too?

[Deleted]

> That was me, but I had the speed van's tag on my car.

I've always wondered about that.

Were you on Dayton Boulevard or Ashland Terrace?



and did you use your turn signal?

[Warkitty]

ticketing the speeders would make me happy too.

Funny how with age I become more and more supportive of slowing idiot drivers down. Must be perspective. Either that or it's examples like just a little bit ago when I saw some idiot speeding down Gadd coming through one of the curves and making a rather precipitous left turn onto a side street and HONKING ANGRILY at the car sitting at the stop sign of that side street for being in his way.

Then there was the schmuck that peeled out of the Bi Lo on Signal Mountain, thinking he's all that, and racing down Mountain View for no discernible reason. If I were dictator, such characters would have their cars confiscated as well as licenses revoked.

[BlackFox]

Nothing you can do about the guy doing 105mph. He doesn't care what the speed limit is.

[Warkitty]

Take his car away and he'll notice the speed limit.

[Justin Thyme]

Just shoot him. He's endangering all of society so it would be self-defense.

[LimitedRecourse]

Just make sure you're not a police officer when using Justin's tactic...

[gridbug]

Jan 6, 2010 15:10:12 GMT -5 LimitedRecourse said:

Just make sure you're not a police officer when using Justin's tactic...

Shooting is OK - just don't taze him bro!

[ohwell]

I realize that the police department needs money to operate. But wouldn't it make more sense for the police to concentrate on the high crime areas and arrest violators?? One more thing. I realize the Bible saying, "An eye for an eye". That means that if a person steals, his arms should not be cut off. Well, lets take it one more step. If you kill, should you not be killed. Think of the cost of keeping these - - - humans ? - - - alive verses the cost of educating a child. I want the child educated.

[Deleted]

> I realize that the police department needs money to operate.

Police don't get to keep the money.





just the drugs, guns, cars, boats, houses, motels, hookers and such - a pretty interesting collection, really.

[Police Moderator]

But wouldn't it make more sense for the police to concentrate on the high crime areas and arrest violators??

Those soccer moms with their head up their collective asses got more ready cash (Or checks) than most street thugs. And much more cost effective since you don't have to pay cameras overtime, or benefits, or defend them in frivolous lawsuits.