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When I was over in Arizona last week, the subject of cameras being used to generate traffic tickets came up more than once. They use cameras on the highways to cite speeders, and even on selected city streets within Tucson — though their presence is controversial. Red-light cameras are an ongoing issue here, especially due to Rich Connell's reporting in the LAT on their mixed effects at Los Angeles intersections — and how they mostly catch illegal right turns. Now Mandalit del Barco of NPR's Los Angeles bureau has a story airing today on "All Things Considered." Sample:
Getting caught by a red-light camera can be pricey - especially in California. With fees, traffic school and court costs, a single ticket can cost $500 or more.More than a dozen states have banned those cameras as voters see them as unreasonable revenue generators for hard-up local governments. But some people argue these devices help curb traffic accidents.
"These are machines," says substitute teacher Robert Zirgulis. "They don't care. You go one foot over the line -- bam, $500."
Zirgulis says the 18 cameras in Culver City "are designed to get as many tickets as possible. They're not designed to make it safe to drive." Daviod Goldstein at CBS 2 has also reported on red light cameras locally.
Earlier from Steve Greenberg:
LA Sketchbook: Red light cameras