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Most Expensive Red Light Ticket in America

San Francisco Cronicle -- California has the most expensive red-light camera tickets in the world - the fine is so steep that one camera in Oakland generates more than $3 million a year

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Submitted Feb 06, 2012 By: mudtoe
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REPLIES (newest first)
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Mothus
Veteran Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 7:09:18 PM

ok
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jalan25
All-Star Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:02:25 PM

According to the article the "usual" fine is $100. Why is San Francisco's almost 5 times that?
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SycamoreISU
Sophomore Author Indiana

Posts:165
Points:38,390
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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:44:05 PM

In Indiana, one must stop at a red light before turning, if there's no sign that prohibits turning on a red light.

Of course, different states have different laws. As I understand, there are some states that prohibit turns on red, period.

However, the vibe that I get from this article is that people aren't stopping at all, yet complain when held accountable.
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VomVom
Champion Author Calgary

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:32:30 PM

California is broke and needs revenue of any kind. There has to be a reasonable yellow light duration based on speed for motorists to stop at the line and not in the middle of the intersection.
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Chem60
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:58:19 PM

I agree with many comments posted on the line that yellow ought to tell you to prepare to stop and don't do the crime if you don't want to pay the fine.
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K9LO
Champion Author North Dakota

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Joined:Nov 2010
Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:56:45 PM

The automatic red light is a money racket. The yellow light is not long enough to keep all people from stopping. This becomes worse with age. Add time to the yellow light and the problem will cure its self. Not the government coffers that it is feeding!
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RochBear
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:49:11 PM

Don't do the crime if you can't pay the fine. When the light turns yellow, slow down and stop when it's red.
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clpassenubye
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:46:50 PM

This red light camera system should be outlawed.
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Gas_Eyes
All-Star Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:43:54 PM

Red light cameras catch a lot of people until they wise up. Most people know where they are, then the fines dry up. and it cost more to run it than what they get in fines.
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GT3186
Champion Author Salem

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:28:06 PM

Don't tell me this is about safety. This is about revenue, and in California, only those who are in the country legally are forced to pay.

This is the same state that just amended the law to PROHIBIT towing of vehicles when the owner can't produce proof of insurance. This law was passed to protect illegal immigrants (check the related stories).

I wonder if the same people that are rescued from possible deportation by not having insurance are also rescued from paying these steep fines from cameras.
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doeslayersr
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:18:56 PM

Not a surprise in California.
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akitaone
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:03:04 PM

WOW
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Dr Gas
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:48:01 PM

Just love those -
"don't run a red light - don't get a ticket" people.
And everyone of you that posted or thinks that had better do full TWO SECOND stops, and NEVER ROLL THROUGH A right turn on red stop either!

Sure you shouldn't run a red, but we are ALL for saving gas.
AND gettting to where we need to get to.

I venture 95% of drivers to NOT FULLY stop on a right turn, and I have wondered either why they do not put up a seperation island so that you do not have to stop to turn red, and if not enough space, make the law change to reflect what more know to be true - you don't need to stop to go right.
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mike1881
All-Star Author Fayetteville

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:12:48 PM

Awesome. I bet if every light had these, not many people would try and beat the red light. Great idea and generates money.
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Wanda127
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:07:58 PM

I agree if you don't try to run the red light you won't get a ticket but the tickets should be at a reasonable rate when you do get them.
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firemunkee
Veteran Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:50:03 AM

It'd be easier if we all just slow down and try not to make the light.
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StArrow68
Champion Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:42:39 AM

It would be intereting if someone would take video of cars actually stopping and then get the flash. Some how for all the complaints of that happening I just don't see it going that way. A complete stop is something that most drivers have very little awareness of.
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LEGION57
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:35:25 AM

owch
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md11capt
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:33:40 AM

Red Light cameras cause rear end collisions.
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SUVFan
Champion Author Columbus

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:27:47 AM

>just makes it economical for EVERYONE to appeal the ticket,
and JAMB UP THE COURT SYSTEM.

support CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.<

Winner!
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Nicoalbum
Champion Author Ottawa

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:21:19 AM

Red light cameras have to be configured with certain tolerance and must be inspected on a regular basis, results made public.
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doctorindyj
Champion Author Santa Fe

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:11:11 AM

The funny thing is that if they follow the standard contract with RedFlex ,which I think is the biggest company on the west side maybe even in the country, then the city is getting very little of that money.
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graceman
Champion Author Baltimore

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:09:44 AM

Don't want to drive there.
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TripleHs
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:08:42 AM

stay away from being there at all
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TripleHs
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:08:23 AM

desperate for money
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humblepie
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:00:01 AM

they deserve it, maybe nancy pelouzy can
get them fixed.
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aquarinut
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:55:50 AM

Cancelled the project here... what cameras are in stayed but no more added.
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mudtoe
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:48:36 AM

From the article it looks like the vast majority of the tickets aren't for running the red light, but for not coming to a complete stop before turning right.

[Edited by: mudtoe at 2/6/2012 10:49:36 AM EST]
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joseph000
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:47:18 AM

Why do people fight red-light cameras?

I'm all for dropping the fines, they become too much of a revenue generator, but I don't want people running lights, and those that do shouldn't be driving at all, so why not just suspend their drivers license?

No easy answer on this one...
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furbud1957
All-Star Author York

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:46:26 AM

Never been to sunny California myself...
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kx250
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:44:29 AM

Nos a surprise considering it's in the peoples republic of kalefornia
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Edpap
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:42:50 AM

California needs more cameras like that....drive there for a day and you'll know why.
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N5EXY
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:38:20 AM

Good grief.
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leraar2
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:35:15 AM

just makes it economical for EVERYONE to appeal the ticket,
and JAMB UP THE COURT SYSTEM.

support CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.
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MustangRacing
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:27:37 AM

Leave it to those west coast wakos...
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portlandcat
Champion Author Tennessee

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:27:31 AM

wow... just don't run the red light people
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nitrousbuzz
All-Star Author Washington

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Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:26:06 AM

So why is Cali broke again.....
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zwsn01
Rookie Author Alabama

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Joined:Jan 2012
Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 10:25:18 AM

Don't run the red light and you won't get a ticket.
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