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Red light cameras: a Drivers.com overview of the issue

Automated cameras have been posted by law enforcement officials in some intersections, with the intent of photographing, and ticketing, drivers who enter the intersection after the light has turned red. Some people hate that practice, and are crying foul, so the Drivers.com editors decided to tackle "red light cameras" in this article.

There are several takes on using intersection, or "red light" cameras, but the points of the two main positions are:

Law enforcement officials and legislators say the cameras help catch dangerous drivers who run red lights, and help deter others from doing so. They argue that policing budgets have been chopped, and automated enforcement allows cops to use their time to tackle more complex crimes, and reduces dangerous car chases.

Some drivers, some lawyers, and other people say the cameras are an infringement on privacy, are inaccurate, and represent a "money grab" by police and city officials. Some people express concern that the process of photographing and mailing tickets assumes guilt before innocence.

Read the full article

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