“Stop Red Light Running” Exposed As Corporate Lobbying Group
October 19th, 2007 Posted in Corruption, Red-Light Cameras, Traffic Tickets
The use of red light ticket cameras has spread to almost 300 cities across the United States. The ticket camera promoters publicly proclaim that these cameras improve traffic safety. Privately they tout the cameras’ revenue generating potential to state and local officials.
By masquerading as a public interest organization named “Stop Red Light Running” the ticket camera merchants attend trade shows and put on “dog and pony” events complete with victims, (courtesy of the MADD playbook) and local officials who tout the wonders of red light ticket cameras. On the public podium its all about safety, in the backrooms the name of the game is how much revenue can be generated.
Where’s the press? Why isn’t it pointed out that the “Stop Red Light Running” organization is nothing more than a public relations/lobbying organization funded by ticket camera companies? There are numerous independent studies that document the fact that red light ticket cameras increase accidents, injuries and property damage, but the average news article tells readers just the opposite and regurgitates the self-serving claims of ticket camera merchants and the cities that use this equipment.
One exception to this “asleep at the switch” pattern was the Washington Post’s review and analysis of Washington D.C’s camera enforcement program. The city proclaimed great safety benefits through the use of ticket cameras and, by the way, raked in tens of millions of dollars. However, when Washington Post reporters dug into the actual records they found traffic safety had declined in general and specifically at camera enforced locations.
When cameras took North Carolina by storm the press dutifully parroted the safety motivations for installing red light cameras. But, when the cameras were shut off because the cities couldn’t keep the fine money (constitutional requirement that fines must go to local school districts) no media sage was asking “why aren’t the cameras kept on for safety purposes?” The obvious answer is there was no safety purpose, the red light cameras were/are just a politically expedient way to rip off motorists.
The overwhelming majority of red light violations can be traced to poorly designed, improperly maintained, and incompetently operated traffic signal systems. To exploit these correctable shortcomings to raise revenue is unethical if not criminal.
Other Related Articles
- "National Campaign To Stop Red Light Running" Is A Sham Organization
- Local School Board Wants Ticket Camera Cash
- Florida Cities Exploit Legal Loophole For Financial Gain
- Bait And Switch: Funds Diverted Away From Trauma Centers
- If It’s Not About The Money, Then Prove It
15 Responses to ““Stop Red Light Running” Exposed As Corporate Lobbying Group”
By Stephen on Oct 19, 2007
Outstanding! Keep up the fight NMA!
By Douglas Guerra on Oct 19, 2007
I don´t know. Maybe the potential loss of advertising revenue prevents the newmedia from reporting the entire story.
By Ally Smith on Oct 20, 2007
it’s way more than 300 cities, I’m afraid.
By Stephen on Oct 21, 2007
Don’t be afraid though, fight back. The last thing that the “Campaign” wants is for people to speak out.
By Donald Scobie on Oct 24, 2007
Being from Louisville Ky, where running red lights is a rule, I have little sympathy for anybody who blows through a red light. In the last year I have been hit twice from these idiots. Unfortunatly our completly worthless Louisville Police are the worst offenders. It is so bad that I slow to a crawl late at night to keep from being pounded by a cop. I just hope that when I finally get nailed by someone I will be in my big ass truck and I will walk away, while the pond scum won’t be so lucky.
And by the way, as a person who drives a truck, don’t tailgate me, don’t hang on my passenger door, all turns don’t have to be made from the far opposite lane, and when my truck finally rolls over you because you insist on the above behavior, I will probably walk away, while you will leave and orphan (which of course my taxes will have to support).
By Kim Y on Oct 25, 2007
I do agree DON’T RUN A RED LIGHT, what i dont agree with is when you are coming to a light and it goes to red, yellow light is a flash, so you want to slam your breaks on then you have to worry about the person behind you hitting you. I think this is a way for this city to make money.And by the way the DFW is full of them now.
By Dave S. on Oct 25, 2007
Good for DFW. I’ve never seen a light flash yellow on it’s way to red. Perhaps sleeping while driving is not the best answer. Instead, look up once in a while to see what the traffic control signals are indicating.
When I come to an intersection I make sure the moron behind me is paying attention by not waiting for the last fraction of a second. When it turns yellow, I see if I can stop smoothly before entering the intersection; if not I procede on through. No trouble.
I am also not speeding, so the rate at which I have to slow is not as great as some on this website seem to think necessary.
By Stan on Oct 27, 2007
The red light SCAMras in Baltimore are DEFINITELY there only for revenue enhancement!!! Local TV station did a study: on the intersections where they installed cameras, the yellow light duration had been shortened by an average of 5 seconds!! Friggin’ unsafe!
By Left Blank on Oct 28, 2007
For those of you living in a state which allows referendum by the people to become law I have a suggestion. Start gaining signatures to a proposal reading thusly: “Because the state should not profit from the misbehavior of its citizens whatever amount of money is collected from traffic citations then the following year an equal amount will be deducted from the state fuel tax.” This would take the profit motive out of the highway harassment. Dangerous drivers would still be removed and those guilty of minor infractions will get a warning and the roads will be just as safe and the legislators will provide for city coffers the old fashioned way…an equitable tax on all citizens to fund legitimate government expenses. Selah
By B. Levi on Oct 29, 2007
I agree with Left Blank on the subject of traffic citations given that some so trivial warning tickets with time periods for remedial action should have been given.I live between two townships where the most notorious revenue raisers issue citations for over $100.00 on such trivia as burned out lamps. A family member was arrested after having been stopped for a burned out lamp while driving in the rain during daylight because Tennessee has a lights on while wipers in use law is on the books. There was an outstanding warrant for his arrest years earlier in another state for failure to appear in court for a minor traffic ticket. He paid the fine by mail, but the out-of-state check was cashed, but never posted to the state of Georgia. He had the cancelled check with the courts stamp in his possession , but the state of Georgia told Tennessee that it was never taken care of. It cost him $2500.00 bail($250.00 bond ), five days lost work as a truck driver, Intimidation by the judge demanding he get an attorney after the judge dropped the driving on a revoked license charge from Tennessee, and the judge dismissed the driving without a headlight charge only after he retained an attorney. The court still had the audacity to charge him $180.00 for court costs after all of the harassment. It took three court dates.
In Alabama I was given a courtesy warning and seven days to fix it. The seven days included a warning that it was filed.
I believe Tennessee is a state where public referendum is available.
By Paul on Nov 14, 2007
I highly suggest that every driver join the National Motorist Association (NMA). There is NO other voice today willing to take on these issues…..NONE. The price is small and donations to their foundation are tax-decuctible. It’s a small price to pay for your freedom. And if they are unsuccessful, the creeping govt bureaucracy will touch everyone of us. Even the folks that say they never speed, they never run a yellow light, they never have a glass of wine with dinner then drive home. They will be arrested with the rest of us. As they say, a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged. We only ask for fairness and justice. Not cops with credit card imprint machines on the dashboard of their cruisers.
By Dennis C on Jan 25, 2008
You people just don’t understand!
The is a powerful looby in a lot of states to have red light cameras installed. The biggest fund raiser is Dunkin’ Donut. With the cameras out there, the police are free to stay at the shops much longer with the effect of generating more revenue for the donut companies. You can fight city hall, but you can’t fight money talking.
Why buy extra trinkets, when you have the man power? Because America is a “spend the taxpayers money” country. People NEVER go to the Village Hall or start groups to fight the programs. You can bet that everyone on my e-mail list is going to get this article sent to them. I have already gotten response from sending the “speedtrap” page.
By Homer Peters on Feb 13, 2008
I hope truckers see this note and pass it on…
The dirt poor town of Gunnison, Colorado has an apparent ruse going for truckers. A friend of mine was pulled over close to Gunnison for “being drunk and weaving” in his 18 wheeler, BASED solely on a phone call. Two PD cruisers pulled him over and said a “local retired attorney” called the PD on her cell and said “this trucker is drunk and weaving.” The cops could see he was not drunk nor drinking but they issued him a citation based solely on the phone call.
By td on Apr 11, 2008
Homer- thats totally unenforceable. They cannot issue a citation based upon something they did not personally observe. It is a basic principle of evidence law.