Caught on Tape
A few years ago, I got busted for running a red-light in Lilburn, at the intersection of Lawrenceville Highway and Killian Hill Road. I was as guilty as sin. The four photos that accompanied the $70 citation showed as much.
So I paid up.
Last week, AJC Gwinnett News reporter Shane Blatt wrote that five Gwinnett cities – Duluth, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville and Suwanee — either have suspended use of the cameras or plan to stop using them altogether. Citiations have dipped, making the cost of the automated program prohibitive, according to the article.
But get this:
Citations supposedly dropped because of a state law that went into effect on Dec. 31. It mandated a one-second addition to the yellow phase at all camera intersections. One second. It appears that made a substantial difference in the number of tickets issued.
I wonder how many accidents — better yet, lives — that one second will prevent?
Makes me wonder: Were the red-light cameras truly about safety or money?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
17 comments Add your comment
LT5000
March 17th, 2009
1:49 pm
I had heard that a sasquatch was photographed in Lilburn, but it turned out it was just Badie running a red light.
LT5000
DawgBite
March 17th, 2009
1:54 pm
Obviously it was all about the revenue Rick. It would be interesting to know exactly just how many lives had been lost at each intersection prior to the cameras being installed. I am willing to bet that the number is slim to none. Furthermore, when these new municipalities fork over the cash to install redlight cameras as practically a first purchase only a total idiot doesn’t see it as a way to generate revenue.
Steve
March 17th, 2009
2:03 pm
Accidents at intersections go up with red light cameras. They always report they are down since they focus on T-bone wrecks from running red lights, but rear end collisions increase. In anycase, the real reason why they can’t afford them here in GA is because of the rediculious contract the local red-light camera company charged the state. If you compare that contract to other states, you can see how GA got hosed. Doesn’t surprise me though since there’s nothing but idiots here. They need to renegotiate that contract and then they can keep thier precious little cameras.
TrueLoosers
March 17th, 2009
4:31 pm
As a Gwinnett taxpayer, I feel that money has been wasted with the purchases. If they choose to use them in the future, the technology will need to be enhanced. This is a perfect example of bad decisions. The entire reason for the camera was revenue, plain and simple. However, the operating cost outweighed the revenue generated.
This is not just a government issue, because I see it happening in corporate america every day.
Stan
March 17th, 2009
5:09 pm
Come one Rick, you have to wonder about it? All about $$$. Always has been.
Bubba
March 17th, 2009
6:08 pm
Show me da money!!!!
Regularjoe
March 17th, 2009
6:14 pm
I believe that it was about the money, more than safety. Maybe the extra second on the yellow lights is a better solution.
Lee
March 17th, 2009
7:47 pm
Revenue generation was always a big selling point when these companies were hawking these systems to municipalities. I also have a problem with a PRIVATE company issuing citations, which was the case in some of these situations.
The extra second of yellow light was a good idea and should actually be expanded in dangerous intersections. I would also increase the delay between a red light on one side and the green light on the other.
Eric
March 17th, 2009
8:47 pm
I’m convinced the traffic photos are intentional money-makers. I am definitely against this type of government intrusion/Big Brother. There are many inaccuracies: I know someone who got a ticket for being in the intersection when the light turned red. But this individual was waiting to ensure oncoming traffic had stopped before completing the left turn. Thus, this defensive-driving was penalized.
I nearly caused a fender-bender when I stopped too soon, afraid the light would change will I was in the intersection. So rather than go through the intersection, I stopped, but the car behind nearly hit me. Overall, it’s a terrible invention and hope government will finally end the madness.
LT
March 17th, 2009
9:04 pm
LT, it is cute the way you subscribed to Rick’s RSS feed so you would get every little update. And the way you respond, just like a middle schooler pinching the boy he has a crush on. It’s precious, really.
LT5000
March 17th, 2009
9:55 pm
LT,
You are as smart as you are observant. I do not subscribe to Rick’s RSS feed. That would be a useless waste of bandwidth. Much like Badie’s twice weekly moronic musings.
By the way
Take a look at Badie’s pic, if you can stand it. It isn’t flattering in any way, shape or form. I can only imagine a video of this pudding of a man in action.
However, it does go a long way in explaining the insipid content of his blogs.
LT5000
nana
March 17th, 2009
10:10 pm
I believe it is/was all about the money. Too bad people who got tickets before the one second was added cannot get their $70.00 back. Both my kids got nailed. I once thought I would at the same intersection Rick is talking about as I made a rolling stop for a right turn on red, ticket never came though. Guess they didn’t get you for that.
LT
March 17th, 2009
10:36 pm
LT, you are the only one analyzing the picture. It is touching, I mean it.
Bruce Wilcox
March 17th, 2009
11:11 pm
Most cities in Gwinnett are giving up the program because it costs too much to run,thus no profit.Use your fingers and do at least a litte researh, it’s in the paper.
Bruce Wilcox
March 17th, 2009
11:22 pm
Now if you want to talk about Big Brother, that as an a different thing. To me it would be against the 4th, 5th and 6th, Amendents
JSC
March 17th, 2009
11:49 pm
C’mon, Rick – of course it was all about the money.
JSC
March 17th, 2009
11:51 pm
BTW, I think Rick’s picture is cute. LT5000 – whoever you are, you’re pathetic. I haven’t come across your column. Oh, that’s right – you don’t have one.