Watch out - Cameras are everywhere!
The city of Houston decided not so long ago that it would be so much “safer” (more revenue!) to install cameras at many of our intersections so that drivers going through red lights would be caught in the act and sent a $75 ticket. This immediately struck me as intrusive and kind of “big brother is watching” bothersome. Recently, Priscilla in our Processing offices decided to “test” this new system of “safety precautions” (more revenue!) and was quick to report that it works very well! A week or two later, I “re-tested” the new cameras AT THE SAME INTERSECTION near our office and “wadda ya know” it got me too!
Both of us received a $75 ticket with photocopies of our cars going through the intersection with the red light clearly visible both before and after we drove through. OKAY, they got us, and made it very easy for us to pay ON-LINE. (yup, more revenue!). Now I am a careful driver with a good, fairly clean, record. BUT occasionally I may slip through a slightly reddish light. (We call them Texas green lights). NO MORE of that!
Now I find myself slamming on the breaks to stop even at a yellow light. Is that safer? I think not! Yesterday, our illustrious City Council unanimously approved MORE red light cameras and at more angles….so we can get tickets for turning right on red but not making a complete stop first.
WOW, imagine all the revenue they’ll get now! Wonder what they’ll do with it??? Maybe they’ll FIX OUR BROKEN STREETS that are all over town. My money is betting no. They’ll probably use it to install more cameras. So, WATCH OUT, we’re being recorded. Trust me (and Priscilla) and don’t test the system!
Wow, I hope you guys didn’t endanger any lives while running the redlight to “test” the cameras ….
To be honest, I hope these cameras really do start catching all those, especially in the Galleria where I live, that like to run redlights all the time. It’s absolutely ridiculous how people ignore these safety precautions that are set to keep us all safe.
I hope we all stay safe!
I feel you. I have an envelope on my desk with a $75 ticket inside it - same thing. The bummer is, I WAS FRAMED. Actually, my brother was coming to get me from the airport in my car when he got it…of course they sent it to me, though he was the culprit. I am interested to see how it plays out. My bro is cool with paying the piper, but I wonder if there will be a hassle over who gets the naughty check mark by his name.
As I said before, I think it’s often more dangerous to slam on the break to avoid a sudden stop than to quickly get through the intersection. Either way, “hidden cameras” creep me out! I heard there is a pending court case about this in Houston. I’ll have to check out the outcome.
Sorry, Judi…. I have to say that I am in favor of the cameras. I have almost been demolished by selfish and arrogant drivers who think they own the road and have every right to just continue on their course. It is my (like I never express it) opinion that our police officers’ time is better spent fighting real crime instead of looking for driving offenses.
While I have to agree that it <i>is</i> a bit Orwellian in nature, it’s quite possible that this may do more good than harm. My wife’s maid-of-honor (and best friend) was involved in a fatal accident at an intersection…she wasn’t paying attention and ran the red light causing a crossing vehicle to hit her driver’s side door…she died instantly.
I imagine that when you receive one of these $75 tickets it leaves a lasting memory–and quite possibly the next time you reach that orange light you may reconsider before mashing down the gas pedal. What if she had gotten one of these tickets months before? Would she have being paying closer attention at that intersection?
I myself have a lead foot…and while I hate the idea of ‘the man’ constantly watching, those obnoxious cameras have me thinking twice about coasting through…
wow a ticket, thats something new to the family…what are you going for the gold!!! so if i drive your car..u get the ticket SWEET HAHAHAHAHA if i ever get there…seems like everyone but me is getting there these days…sad me!!! xoxoxo WHO DEY!!!!
See, just when you think you’ve gotten away from it, technology catches up with you.
Judi — you guys are nuts…as for slamming on the breaks being more dangerous…NO…I have had 2 major accidents in my life
One was a drunk driver who totalled my car and left my car a total accordian…it was a miracle I walked away
The other was a guy running a light !! He litterally took the whole front end of my car and not a small light car …one of those older, heavy cars from the 70’s — my dad lent it to me and then what do you know he was running a red light and barlely missed me — another 2 feet and I say I would have lost my legs or my life
honestly I am in favor for the cameras — too many pple don’t pay attention or take a risk not worth taking.