Huh? I don't think cameras are the solution, but blamung red-light running on timing, etc. is silly.
There will always be traffic dorks who think they deserve to go through the light just because they want to.
When we lived in Austin, I learned rapidly that red light running was the NORM and actually nearly got rear-ended several times because I slowed down when the guy behind me wanted me to zoom on through so he could, too. Dang it! I could see the yellow light was stale and so could the guy behind me. There were times when I had no choice but to go ahead just to prevent an accident!
I was also nearly t-boned a few times before I learned to wait even longer than normal on a green before pulling out (much to the disgust of the driver behind me). You know, in defensive driving they teach you to count "one thousand one, one thousand two" before pulling into the intersection on green and even THAT wasn't long enough. There was frequently some idiot who would come up to an intersection with a red light and blow right through even with other cars crossing.
So what if sitting at a red takes a few minutes out of your day? I invariably would catch up with the guy who ran the red light in front of me at the NEXT intersection! He didn't make any progress that would justify putting his life and the lives of those around him at risk. I'm including women in that generic "he". So why run the light? I admit some of the lights were interminably long when you were running late, but we had a lot of people using those roads. What I felt was needed was a turnpike that was a straight shot through the heaviest areas, like we had in Oklahoma City.
I warned my parents when they came to see me just how dangerous it was to drive in Austin...by the time they got to my house, they were wild-eyed with their hair standing on end...having narrowly avoided above-mentioned accidents themselves and only because they believed and heeded my warnings.
The only thing that decreased the red-light running from time to time was having a patrol car (or two) clearly visible to swiftly ticket those who dared to run in front of them. Unfortunately, while they were occupied with that violator, the other drivers would take advantage and zoom through, knowing they were not going to be caught themselves.
So, what causes "these problems"? Durned if I know...selfish drivers? Too high speed limit approaching these intersections? Low dollar penalties? Whatever it was, after a few weeks in Austin, I was inspired to get a more responsive vehicle with better pick-up-and-go for those times when I had to get out of some idiot's reckless way. That new vehicle saved my life countless times and I'm not an "old lady driver" by any means.
I've noticed in my new hometown we don't have the problem to the same degree...must be something in Austin's water.
I'd be interested to know what really makes Austin drivers behave differently than other city drivers...
Who gets the ticket if SOMEONE else is driving your vehicle. Like your kid, wife, husband or a thief? Do the points go against YOUR license or against the person actually doing the driving? I'm surprised no one has mentioned this factor!