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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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Mothus Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:380 Points:184,380 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 8:09:18 PM Ignore Mothus Report Abuse ok
jalan25 All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:568 Points:210,895 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 4:02:25 PM Ignore jalan25 Report Abuse According to the article the "usual" fine is $100. Why is San Francisco's almost 5 times that?
SycamoreISU Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:165 Points:38,390 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:44:05 PM Ignore SycamoreISU Report Abuse 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.
VomVom Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,449 Points:1,290,600 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:32:30 PM Ignore VomVom Report Abuse 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.
Chem60 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,888 Points:450,475 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:58:19 PM Ignore Chem60 Report Abuse 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.
K9LO Champion Author North Dakota Posts:1,403 Points:305,015 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:56:45 PM Ignore K9LO Report Abuse 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!
RochBear Champion Author Minnesota Posts:9,106 Points:1,515,755 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:49:11 PM Ignore RochBear Report Abuse 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.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,170 Points:424,465 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:46:50 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse This red light camera system should be outlawed.
Gas_Eyes All-Star Author Dallas Posts:859 Points:291,060 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:43:54 PM Ignore Gas_Eyes Report Abuse 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.
GT3186 Champion Author Salem Posts:1,255 Points:267,005 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:28:06 PM Ignore GT3186 Report Abuse 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.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,806 Points:508,150 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:18:56 PM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse Not a surprise in California.
akitaone Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,309 Points:80,750 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:03:04 PM Ignore akitaone Report Abuse WOW
Dr Gas Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,643 Points:315,025 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:48:01 PM Ignore Dr Gas Report Abuse 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.
mike1881 All-Star Author Fayetteville Posts:699 Points:257,805 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:12:48 PM Ignore mike1881 Report Abuse Awesome. I bet if every light had these, not many people would try and beat the red light. Great idea and generates money.
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:1,496 Points:569,980 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:07:58 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse 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.
firemunkee Veteran Author Maryland Posts:403 Points:54,300 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:50:03 PM Ignore firemunkee Report Abuse It'd be easier if we all just slow down and try not to make the light.
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,417 Points:1,001,200 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:42:39 PM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse 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.
LEGION57 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:1,470 Points:245,475 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:35:25 PM Ignore LEGION57 Report Abuse owch
md11capt Champion Author Denver Posts:1,778 Points:385,985 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:33:40 PM Ignore md11capt Report Abuse Red Light cameras cause rear end collisions.
SUVFan Champion Author Columbus Posts:10,000 Points:1,272,515 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:27:47 PM Ignore SUVFan Report Abuse >just makes it economical for EVERYONE to appeal the ticket, and JAMB UP THE COURT SYSTEM. support CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.< Winner!
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,102 Points:825,845 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:21:19 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse Red light cameras have to be configured with certain tolerance and must be inspected on a regular basis, results made public.
doctorindyj Champion Author Santa Fe Posts:2,249 Points:507,380 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:11:11 PM Ignore doctorindyj Report Abuse 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.
graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:3,741 Points:915,770 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:09:44 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse Don't want to drive there.
TripleHs Champion Author Austin Posts:1,827 Points:595,405 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:08:42 PM Ignore TripleHs Report Abuse stay away from being there at all
TripleHs Champion Author Austin Posts:1,827 Points:595,405 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:08:23 PM Ignore TripleHs Report Abuse desperate for money
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:17,248 Points:2,007,270 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:00:01 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse they deserve it, maybe nancy pelouzy can get them fixed.
aquarinut Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,198 Points:275,000 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:55:50 AM Ignore aquarinut Report Abuse Cancelled the project here... what cameras are in stayed but no more added.
mudtoe Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:6,374 Points:939,235 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:48:36 AM Ignore mudtoe Report Abuse 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]
joseph000 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,063 Points:205,665 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:47:18 AM Ignore joseph000 Report Abuse 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...
furbud1957 All-Star Author York Posts:763 Points:153,405 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:46:26 AM Ignore furbud1957 Report Abuse Never been to sunny California myself...
kx250 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,406 Points:767,925 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:44:29 AM Ignore kx250 Report Abuse Nos a surprise considering it's in the peoples republic of kalefornia
Edpap Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,527 Points:149,000 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:42:50 AM Ignore Edpap Report Abuse California needs more cameras like that....drive there for a day and you'll know why.
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:3,708 Points:1,148,750 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:38:20 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse Good grief.
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,940 Points:427,820 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:35:15 AM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse just makes it economical for EVERYONE to appeal the ticket, and JAMB UP THE COURT SYSTEM. support CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.
MustangRacing Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,123 Points:333,650 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:27:37 AM Ignore MustangRacing Report Abuse Leave it to those west coast wakos...
portlandcat Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,817 Points:326,370 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:27:31 AM Ignore portlandcat Report Abuse wow... just don't run the red light people
nitrousbuzz All-Star Author Washington Posts:925 Points:186,735 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:26:06 AM Ignore nitrousbuzz Report Abuse So why is Cali broke again.....
zwsn01 Rookie Author Alabama Posts:15 Points:107,780 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:25:18 AM Ignore zwsn01 Report Abuse Don't run the red light and you won't get a ticket.