Parking Quiz Answer! Finding & Avoiding Red Light Cameras in SF
Photo by Alex E. Proimos on Flickr.com
A bit ago, parking guru David La Bua, author of Finding the Sweet Spot, asked you guys to guess how many red light cameras there are in the city, plus a bonus question of how long red lights actually last. Did you guess correctly?
How many red light camera intersections are there in SF?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 24
D) 42
E) 142
Bonus Question (Essay): How long does the typical red light last?
The Answer is C) 24
Automatic (Camera) Enforcement of Red Lights
There were 796 non-fatal pedestrian injury collisions and 24 fatal pedestrian collisions on the streets of San Francisco last year. And 1.8 million intersection crashes nationally. Running red lights is the ultimate act of driving selfishly, and unless you’re driving an ambulance, gives the lowest reward for the highest amount of risk taken.
I know it seems like each red light lasts absolutely forever, especially when you’re in a hurry. Hopefully you will take some comfort in knowing that most red lights typically last for only 30 seconds (count for yourself). Just a few, in higher speed limit areas, are 45 seconds long. So next time you are stressed out, and squeezing the lemon to beat the red light….relax, take a break, do a 30 second red light meditation. Really. Try it.
The automatic digital red light cameras found at intersections cost about $40,000 each, and the whole units used at intersections cost about $300,000 per intersection. The City has 27 cameras rotated among 24 intersections and spent a little over $8 million on them. How can we afford that? Well, last year alone, there were 16,500 automatic red light violation citations issued. At $435 each, they generated $7 million in revenue. So, needless to say, the pilot program is here to stay, as it will generate millions of dollars a year for SF. And hopefully will heighten people’s awareness, and save a life or two.
Here is a list of the 24 current red light camera intersections in the rotation in SF.
Bryant & Sixth
Bush & Van Ness
Ellis & Larkin
Folsom & First
Franklin & Geary
Harrison & Third, Fifth, and Eighth
Howard & Fourth, Fifth, and Ninth
Marina Boulevard & Lyon
Mission & Fifth, Seventh, and Fifteenth
Oak & Octavia
Park Presidio & Fulton, Geary, and Lake
Pine & Polk
Polk & Hayes
Richardson & Francisco
Sloat & Nineteenth
South Van Ness & Fourteenth
For all things parking in SF go to www.findingthesweetspot.com
A red light camera is a traffic enforcement camera that captures an image of a vehicle which has entered an intersection against a red traffic light. By automatically photographing vehicles that run red lights, the camera produces evidence that assists authorities in their enforcement of traffic laws.
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I bang it seems equal apiece red burn lasts perfectly forever, especially when you're in a move. Hopefully you present determine many succour in wise that most red lights typically fashionable for exclusive 30 seconds (numerate for yourself). Fitting a few, in higher qualify bound areas, are 45 seconds longish. So succeeding instance you are accented out, and compressing the yellow to know a accident, do a 30 position red light reflexion. Truly. Try it.
Generally reciprocation law is discontinuous up into infractions and violations. An infraction is an behavior that is not advised a evildoing and its penalisation is a amercement. A mortal who is culpable of an infraction can't be jailed, recognise large fines, mortal a commission affliction or a court-appointed lawyer. Most reciprocation tickets, much as non-moving violations and non-dangerous hurtling violations, are infractions. Some hurrying tickets can solace be relatively enlarged, as pace circumscribe the offender was dynamical.
To make this concept clear, here is an extreme example: Suppose you're accused of shooting a convenience store clerk, and the police have produced a gun that matches the bullets found in the clerk; the gun also has a full set of your fingerprints on it. It is almost perfect evidence - just like the photos the red light cameras take - except for one problem. The police obtained the gun illegally, by breaking into your house without a warrant. So, they will not be able to use the gun in court, and will have to depend upon other evidence, and eyewitness testimony, to make their case.
Whereas many serious crimes require proof of "criminal intent" to convict someone, the only proof needed to convict someone of a strict liability offense is that the person committed the act. Examples of strict liability offenses include driving with a broken or burned-out headlight, making an illegal U-turn, neglecting to yield or use a turn signal or parking in a handicap space without authorization. For most people, the most familiar strict liability offenses are speeding and letting the time on a parking meter expire.
Generally traffic law is broken up into infractions and violations. An infraction is an offense that is not considered a crime and its penalty is a fine. A person who is guilty of an infraction can't be jailed, receive large fines, have a jury trial or a court-appointed lawyer. Most traffic tickets, such as non-moving violations and non-dangerous moving violations, are infractions. Some speeding tickets can still be relatively large, as many states determine the fine based on how many miles per hour beyond the speed limit the offender was driving.
Red light cameras are ONLY installed to generate revenue! Duh, why else would a government entity install them?
Countless studies have shown that not only do red light cameras not reduce accidents, many times they actually INCREASE them. Look it up for yourself. There's plenty of evidence.
Why doesn't this article mention that?
A far far better way to reduce red light running and accidents is to INCREASE the time of yellow lights. But cash strapped municipalities are not at all interested in that.
Here's a thought. How about following the rules of the road and be considerate of other drivers? Then you wouldn't have to worry about cameras. Maybe, just maybe your desire to get to Starbucks is less important than the life of your fellow motorists (and pedestrians).
Any reason why you have a photo of Sydney for this article? BTW Sydney has a gazillion red light and speed cameras!
I really wish that the city would install more of these lights, specifically on Market Street from Van Ness down to the Ferry Building. I commute down Market on my bike, and every day I see countless cars running red lights. Just today I counted five cars that I alone noticed.
Cops don't do anything about this, and it really is a problem. Many times cars are stuck in the intersection, backing up traffic. Think about how much money could be made just on that strech of Market street alone!! Come on city planners (or who ever decides this), get your act together. Bust these jerks, make some money, and help make the streets safer for everyone.
Red light cameras CAUSE more accidents then prevent... Who's been f*cked slamming on their brakes and getting rear-ended vs running a slight-yellow/red light?!
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