Sioux City Journal

Is running a red light a liberty?

Posted: Thursday, December 13, 2007

SIOUX CITY -- I couldn't believe the headline in The Journal's Dec. 8 edition: "Rants questions use of red-light cameras." I don't understand the resistance to using technology to enforce the law. Rep. Rants told city officials, "Some believe our liberties are being eroded every day." Is running red lights one of our liberties? Rants is also reported to have said, "Today it's red lights, tomorrow it's going to be speeding tickets." So? -- Robert Sorensen

Story Comments

smilie wrote on Jan 5, 2008 5:33 PM:

" to for tim, statistics sir, statistics. Prove they save lives. "

for Tim- wrote on Jan 3, 2008 10:38 AM:

" Ok Tim- I see your point. However, even IF rear-end collisions did increase, how many fatalities resulted from them? My guess is NONE. Now, IF that car would have run the red light, what are the chances that a fatality would occur? Since you were able to check the stats on the increase of rear-end collisions, I am guessing that you can also find the number of T-Bones that were reduced. Neither is a good wreck to be in, but I would rather take my chances with a low speed rear-end than a T-Bone. Also chack to see what the fatality rates have declined to, since the cameras were put in. Here is the bottom line. Red light camera don't cause rear end collisions. Drivers following too closely do. These cameras saves lives. Running red lights DOES NOT. "

Tim H wrote on Dec 21, 2007 11:25 AM:

" A California study showed that 77% of "Red Light Camera" tickets issued were for a light that was red for less than a second before they cleared the intersection. A Texas study showed there was a 40% increase in accidents at intersections with "Red Light Cameras" because people would slam on their breaks as soon as the light changed to yellow causing them to get rear-ended... the people admitted they slammed their breaks due to fears of getting a ticket from the camera. Doesn't sound like such a good idea to me. "

geo wrote on Dec 20, 2007 2:36 PM:

" observer is right, if it could save my or anybodies faimly members life i say lets get the cameras...for the guy that wants a policeman on every corner he will be the first one to complain that his taxes are too high... "

Republic wrote on Dec 19, 2007 10:09 AM:

" To Kris, sorry I hit a nerve, but your wrong. "