Red Light Cameras, Take Two
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Red Light Cameras, Take Two

A controversy

19
Red Light Cameras, Take Two
Wiki

A St. James man finds himself in some trouble. According to police, 26-year-old Bryan Valentine was seen by a person passing by placing plastic bags over cameras at the intersection of Main Street and Landing Avenue in Smithtown, Long Island. Valentine was later arrested nearby by police around 5:30 pm.

Valentine is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal tampering, and was held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and will be arraigned in court on Saturday, April 9 in Central Islip.

A Centereach man was arrested last summer for tampering with red light cameras in Ronkonoma, pointing them toward the sky. Stephen Ruth posted a video of himself on Facebook and YouTube that received over 150,000 views.

Some may see both Valentine and Ruth are both heroes for their actions -- red light cameras are annoying, but they did tamper with government property. "Red light cameras do more harm than good. My friend got a ticket for passing a light that was red for .1 second. When people slam their brakes for a yellow, it gives the people behind them more of a chance to rear end them," said James Orban of Holtsville.

"I think red light cameras are fair. Running red lights is dangerous. Red light cameras encourage people to slow down at yellow instead of trying to beat the light. My only accident was because someone ran a red light," said Kaitlin McNamera of Sayville.

On Long Island, fines for a red light ticket are $50, plus a $30 administrative fee, but do not add points to the drivers license. Red light cameras have been a huge controversy ever since they were put up. Some will argue that it does stop people from violating traffic laws, while some people believe the cameras are unfair, and they are only there to take the people's money.

There are currently over 45 locations on the Island with red light cameras. It has been argued that red light cameras are rigged to trap drivers. Back in October 2015, there was a request issued to suspend the cameras, which has not gone far.

Some ask whether the red light cameras help prevent accidents, or worsen them. According to AAA spokesman, Robert Sinclair, drivers “are in the frame of mind that it’s a yellow, I have to stop or I get a ticket, then you wind up creating nearly as bad a situation as the one you are trying to prevent” (Gusoff, CBS). According to Sinclair, 95 percent of the tickets given are due to people making a right turn on red.

Another controversy is that there are some lights that stay yellow for a shorter amount of time at some intersections, than in others. AAA said the criteria of speed and the size of the intersection determine the length of a yellow light, and shorter yellow lights can cause accidents. The bigger the intersection, the shorter amount of time the light stays yellow. The smaller the intersection, the longer the light stays yellow. This is with intent that the big intersections hold more potential for big accidents to occur.

So the question becomes, are red light cameras fair?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58726
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37868
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959426
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194849
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments