Revenue Concerns Derail Maryland, Washington Photo Ticketing Expansion

theNewspaper.com ^ | 04/08/2008 | n/a

[rockrr]

Concerns over the disposition of profits have thwarted efforts to expand photo ticketing in Washington state and Maryland.

No honor among thieves I say...

[bobjam]

So enforcement of red light laws increases crashes?

Does putting more cops on the street increase crime?

[copaliscrossing]

So enforcement of red light laws increases crashes? Does putting more cops on the street increase crime?

bobjam, that is a bad comparison whereas crime is in most cases has an element of intent or pre-planning if you will. Crashes are for the most part an accident that someone was hopefully not planning to be a part of. Yes, there are cases where poor choices CAN lead to a crash but it in no way compares to committing a crime as far as intent goes.

One frustrating thing for me is police presence during rush hour where it is impossible to go over the speed limit because of the congestion. I see more rear end accidents because people slam on their brakes (even though they are not over the speed limit) when they see a cop sitting on the side of the road. I figure it is probably a rookie cop that probably does not know the affect he/she is having on drivers during that situation. I have heard the safe distance argument but you follow a safe distance and it is immediately cut in a third by a lane changer and those folks are never pulled over.

[Ken H]

So enforcement of red light laws increases crashes?

Does putting more cops on the street increase crime?

I made no claims about enforcement of red light laws by law enforcement personnel - just red light light cameras.

Have you got any evidence to counter the multiple studies I cited showing that red light cameras are associated with such increases?

[copaliscrossing]

I guess to finish my point about crashes during police presence on the road during rush hour. I think if you had a cop stationed at these red light intersections instead of the camera, you would probably have the same problem, people panicking and doing something stupid when the cop is sighted. It is just a natural reaction that a lot of people have even though they are not breaking the law.