Hillsborough County Commissioners unanimously agreed to red light cameras on Thursday. The Tribune notes:
… 10 Hillsborough County intersections will get red light cameras that supporters say save lives and detractors claim cause more – not fewer – accidents.
Red light cameras cause about as many crashes as red lights. Neither are the reason for accidents. Selfish, careless, negligent, thoughtless, self-centered, inconsiderate, and inattentive drivers are to blame for wrecks.
Once these cameras are installed, you better look out. RLCs won’t change the habits of these people right away. They will still be driving on your streets while on the phone, applying makeup, reading the newspaper, and texting their peeps. And the odds are they will be right behind you when you slow quickly for a yellow light (which is what you are supposed to do). So there will be a few fender benders.
But not to fear. It costs a lot less to fix the rear of your vehicle than the front of it. And after just a couple of months (and plenty of front-end body work), those selfish drivers will realize that they should maybe pay a bit more attention to the road. All will be well in no time.
We applaud the decision of your Hillsborough County Commissioners.
Chuck Welch
2 years ago
Tommy,
I’d like to see the contract terms. I’d like to hear how the yellow lights will be set at the 10 locations. I would like to know what the contract says about sites that don’t pay their cost.
We all hear about the problem, but was a study performed that gave us any numbers? Will the city release the number of warnings given and rejected for the first 60 days?
I think I need a few more answers before I can applaud.
Melissa
2 years ago
I agree, these red light cams are a great thing. Yes, they might cause more accidents at first, as people expect the cars in front ot htem to run the red light instead of stop. But after a while people will learn.
I just wish we could come up with a camera to crack down on people who change lanes without using the blinker.