Red light cameras - Do they stop or cause accidents? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

SLY_GLi · 04-23-2004, 00:25

Im sure this question has been bought up somwhere in these forums, but here goes anyway

I live on a fairly main street, which is directly off drakeford drive, (the parkway) which is the road linking all reigons of Canberra, from north to south. At the intersection of my street and this road there is a red light camera for northbound traffic.

As i was on my way home today, there was an accident here, where a greed eb / ed falcon (couldnt tell exactly) that stopped quiet quickly for the orange light, i presume he didnt want to risk getting caught by the red light camera, and by doing so, the car behind him obviously wasnt looking, going to quickly or not leaving enough room between himself and the falcon, ran right up the back of the stationary falcon, pushing it all the way across the other side of the intersection. The back of the ford was a mess, and the doors had to been cut off , i presume to get the occupants out. This retard who ran up the back of him, then got out and abused the man driving the falcon for stopping. (the other car was an old bluebird by the looks of things)

Would all of this happened if there was no red light camera? Probably not. and there is always accidents there, i see at least one a fortnight in peakhour. Maybe they should just have speeding cameras there instead of both red light and speed.

What do you think? Any similar experiences?

psycho chicken · 04-23-2004, 00:47

I aquaplaned stopping for a red light camera this morning, normally I would of gone right through.

Nuff said.

pauljh74 · 04-23-2004, 03:28

I think what's important is that drivers need to keep an eye on what is going on around them, front and back. In the case you mentioned, the other guy sounds like he wasn't paying attention. Considering he hit a stationary car and pushed it across the intersection, he's a tosser who should have his licence cut up for that. It's extra moronic to blame someone else for what is clearly his stuff up. Either that or his brakes failed.

An example of not paying attention to what's going on behind you - One day I was out helping a driver. He was loaded up with the day's deliveries (3 tonne truck plus load - probably 5 tonnes minimum gross weight) and we were on a main road. The light turned amber, the Corolla in front jumped on the brakes - the truck driver swerved to the next lane and went through the amber light as he had no chance of stopping in time. He was lucky there was no-one in the next lane. If that driver was paying attention to the truck behind, she would have gone through. Now if it was a semi trailer, that Corolla would have been turned into a hood ornament.

So, if you check your rear vision mirror every 10 seconds or so, a driver will notice if a car is right behind or not, or if there's a truck and you can take this into account in the situation. Many times when braking heavily upon noticing the traffic in the lane has stopped, I'll check my rear vision mirror and give the car behind as much room as possible after I've braked enough to ensure I can stop.

RaceCraft · 04-23-2004, 03:33

red light cameras are very good for saving lives... All the cases you guys mentioned are rear end collisions, a bit of whiplash and property damage but the cameras are there mainly to stop the fatalities of WANKERS T-boning you or just as bad running over pedestrians

If it makes people think twice about blind siding me i vote to keep them

Ambrose_1 · 04-23-2004, 03:34

he abused people that had to get cut out of the car? what a retard

LTDHO · 04-23-2004, 03:59

I'd rather red light camaras than speed camaras...

If the light is amber you are alloud to go through. Only when it's red. Also if you are doing the speed limit or less, the amber light will stay on long enough for you to go though. Except in the wet, but you should be driving a little more cautious anyway.

blueraven · 04-23-2004, 04:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTDHO

I'd rather red light camaras than speed camaras...

If the light is amber you are alloud to go through. Only when it's red. Also if you are doing the speed limit or less, the amber light will stay on long enough for you to go though. Except in the wet, but you should be driving a little more cautious anyway.

From my experience you are supposed to be mindful of the lights and be prepared to stop as soon as you see an amber light.

I got a 30 dollar fine for running an amber light... why? Because the copper tried to get me for running a red light and couldnt prove it.

pfft.

mongrelEB · 04-23-2004, 04:14

Personally, I reckon red lights cause accidents. Full stop. In my perfect world, all intersections would be roundabout (well-planned ones; we've all seen some shockers! )

Red light cameras are at least better than greed cameras.
Wonder what AP thinks? lol

MaD_WoG · 04-23-2004, 04:26

when we were all in the truck, lateish one night, sumone decided to suddenly stop at the last second of a traffic light, just after they cut us off in a fully laden semi with a 48' trailer on the back... needless to say, if we hit them, they would b dead, at 80 kays, so dad swerved, and took out the traffic lights instead...
another time, this chick cut him off, in a little car again, and he swerved, and hit the top of shop overhang stuff.... 60 grand damage to the trailer, and stuff on it, everything had to be thrown out, coz its a fibreglass trailer... there were 4 pallets of alcohol on it :( but some people just dont know that trucks cant stop as well as their cars... ive been in the situation wher ei got sumone up my arse, and i cant stop at a light without them hitting me, so i go through....

bdave351 · 04-23-2004, 04:32

I agree with red light cameras on the right type of intersection , but I really really disagree with coupling a speed camera with any red light camera as you have the obvious problem of getting run up the back of (and possibly pushed into oncoming traffic) if you stop to quick , but busted if you speed up to make it through the light.

Obe way or the other eh?