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Because red lights are apparently too complicated for Chicagoans to understand, Edward M. Burke (14th) wants to create a "Red Light Education Program" for red-light runners. In addition to the $100 fine, drivers would have to pay $25 to complete the program or pay an additional $50 fine instead. Burke compared the plan to programs for teen drivers that are required to complete educational programs, saying that the plan could help reduce the number of traffic deaths as it has for teen drivers. He added that 27 percent of the six million accidents that occur on U.S. roadways every year occur at intersections.
On the other hand, Fran Spielman writes:
Despite repeated claims that changing driving behavior is the ultimate goal, the cameras have become a giant cash cow for Chicago.Last year, red-light cameras pumped out 579,560 tickets and generated $44.8 million in sorely-needed revenue. During the first three months of this year, there have been 148,612 tickets issued and $13.3 million collected.
So either A) Burke thinks Chicagoans are unable to comprehend the complexities of a traffic light and require education, or B) Burke, finance committee chairman, is looking for another way to squeeze money out of drivers.
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I have no problem with this. Driving through a red light is about as selfish and dangerous as a person can get while driving. The class is silly, though. Just double the penalty and be done with it.
This will not have any effect on Eddie Burke's driving, as he doesn't drive himself anywhere!
He has a city supplied limo & driver, plus a police bodyguard, because around 15 years ago he received a single, anonymous death threat.
What a phony & pile of shit Burke is!
Say I've got a tinfoil hat or whatever, I don't care. They have shortened the yellow light time to coincide with the camera's installation, at least at the one intersection I have to pass through to get to work. If you are doing the speed limit and hit the sweet spot you either have to *slam* on your brakes or stomp on the gas to get through the light in time. As say this as somebody who hates people who purposefully run lights.
Can somebody do a FOIA request to see if the City Government has manipulated the timing on yellow lights in the city? Since the red light cameras are about raising revenue, not public safety, shortening the yellow light would help keep the money flowing. I wouldn't put it past our public officials to do such a thing.
In addition to the $100 fine, drivers would have to pay $25 to complete the program or pay an additional $50 fine instead.
And they know which one people are going to opt for, so it's win/win for them. Besides, what the hell would a "Red Light Education" program entail?
"OK, dis is a red light. You'rs s'posed to stop when youse see it, OK? Anybody not clear on dat? OK, to review... Red light: stop. Ok, we're done here. Youse can just talk amongst yourselfs for the next three hours of the class."
I've come to the conclusion that all attempts at further regulation of our behavior by our City government must be opposed, irrespective of whether the proposal seems sensible or not. What happens when when they figure out that the classes don't reduce the number of people running red lights? Cancel the program? No, they will increase the fines further, expand the classes and probaly install speed bumps in the middle of the intersection. These people must be stopped.
I "educated" a guy who ran a red light and nearly hit me today. Where's my $25?
I'm sure this hike in fines will correct behavior. People will stop running red lights and intersections will be safe, orderly, and even, mysteriously, smell like fresh cut jasmine.
For those who don't believe in Santa, Red Light Cameras are all about the money. And they actually cause more accidents than they prevent.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080313/231629539.shtml
So make the fine whatever the city's current budget shortfall is and just be honest in your thievery Alderman.
Doesn't this run back into the problem that keeps these tickets from being moving violations? How do you ID the driver?
Does the owner have to go to the class regardless of the driver? What if the car is co-owned? Do both owners have to go to the class? Does that double the fine? If it is a corporate car, does my CEO have to go to the class?
Smells like City and State extorting its citizens for money. How about when Police blow red lights and stops signs?
I have no problem with this, as I don't run red lights in a car. It's not that hard a thing to avoid doing. Also, I know where the red light cameras are, because I observe the world around me and have seen the big black boxes and occasional flash, so I know where to be extra careful. If people are too dumb (or more likely, too self-important) to hit their brakes at a red light, then let them pay.
Fun fact: While I've never gotten a ticket for running a red light, I did once set off a red light camera on a bike.
The city/state should institute a registration program for bicycles, so that they can get tickets for running lights as well under this as well. They are the worst scofflaws going. Period. Plus it'd be a great revenue raiser to spend on other city/state pork and patronage.
Sounds like a win/win to me.