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The ongoing red-light camera debate doesn’t look like its coming to an end anytime soon.
“Local governments hungry for revenue are signing contracts with red-light camera companies that put profit over traffic safety, according to a new study by a national public interest advocacy group,” (USA Today).
Some of these contracts restrict police officers from doing things like lengthening the yellow signal- a contentious point in the red-light camera debate; and require cities to share revenue with the camera vendor on a per-ticker basis (USA Today).
The more tickets a camera system issues, the more profit the vendor collects. “It just creates this really broad incentive to fine as many people as you can… That’s not a good safety model,” says Phineas Baxandall, a co-author to the report (USA Today).As recently mentioned, about 700 communities in about half the states have deals with for-profit companies to install camera systems. “The deals sometimes prevent local governments from acting in the best interests of their citizens, especially when the terms of the deal prioritize delivering profits for the shareholders or owners of the private firm,” (USA Today).
A perfect example, some contracts potentially impose financial penalties on the city if traffic engineers extend the length of the yellow light at intersections where red-light cameras are installed, which would reduce the number of tickets the systems can issue.
What do you think of the red-light camera issue? Do you think it’s a money making tool for cities, or a way to keep citizens safe? Do you think your officials are looking out for your best interest? Comment below or on Traffic Ticket Nassau County Facebook Wall linked HERE.
Have you been issued a red-light ticket? Do NOT plead guilty! Let Traffic Ticket Nassau County help you. Call Traffic Ticket Nassau County at 516-319-5822 – all consultations are FREE and NO office visit is necessary. For more information, visit TrafficTicketNassauCounty.com.
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