These cameras routinely "catch" drivers making entirely legal right-hand turns at red lights, putting the burden on them to prove their innocence in court. Along with shortened yellow lights, these are basically revenue-enhancers for municipalities, and I am opposed to them.

I personally disapprove of tickets given by camera shots period. I don't see many people violet red lights. Stop Signs and Yield signs are where bigger perpetration is.
But the issue is camera tickets. I vote no. Too many circumstances that the camera does not reveal. The gentleman speaking to Rigth on Red Ok turns is only one example.

Can you guys provide supporting evidence of reoccurring unearned tickets because of red light cameras? I've never heard of one that wasn't legit. Some people just don't like the thought of always being able to be caught now whereas before if there wasn't a cop around, you wouldn't be caught. Does it generate revenue? Of course. But it provides an overall safer driving experience because once people realize those cameras are there they won't be trying to make a light

Barbara, people violate red lights all the time by trying to squeeze through on a yellow or even after it's just turned red (I'm guilty of that once or twice). Its dangerous, someone from the other side could start early or a pedestrian could be trying to cross.

Given the fact that at nearly every red light some fool or fools blow(s) through the red, and as is nearly always the case, I end up next to that fool at the NEXT red light. I am fully in favor of red light cameras, they ought to be installed at every intersection.

Opposed. Agree with John Bowers and Barbara Cresswell. If these are so great, why just in certain areas? Because the purpose has nothing to do with safety. These are strictly passive taxation vehicles.

Here are some FACTS regarding cameras, incidents of red light running and related accidents decrease. As for the anecdotal comments regarding unearned tickets, please provide actual, concrete evidence of such occurrences.

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/redlight/cameras/

Now if only the cameras could catch those drivers who, well after the start of the solid white line has been passed, have no desire to wait for the left hand turners to turn, but instead cut into the nonturming lane (with or without signaling). I'm sooi glad that I maintain my brakes!0

Where does the $$ raised form these tickets go? Township? Also curious about speeding tickets, do those revenues go to the Township? If so, why isn't Route 30 set up for more speed traps?? It's turned into a freeway......

The red light camera is a form of surveillance and just because they say they will not use it as such...well do you believe "everything" the government tells you?

The so called facts of the number of incidents declining are deceiving. The data is inconclusive as the numbers change year to year even before the implementation of the cameras. Statistics do not lie, but statisticians do.

It fails to consider that people are avoiding the lights with the cameras once they know they are there. Also look at the possibility of fewer drivers on the road due to the down economy. So much to consider that the "evidence" is not so cut and dry.

Paul, so essentially your opinion is these camera will be used to spy on you, and the statisticians are liars? While I am not naive, I am unsure as to what sort of activities will be caught on these cameras, perhaps an actual criminal fleeing a crime scene, perhaps a child being forcibly abducted, perhaps a car jacking? If so, i am all for it.

Also, show me proof of inconclusive data.

For MJP and others demanding "actual, concrete evidence," I suggest talking with residents of Washington, DC. I have -- and the errors and abuse in their camera-triggered ticketing are infamous. (By the way, just because evidence is anecdotal, doesn't mean it's not true.)

If the motivation behind this is so altruistic (safety rather than more municipal inurement), then amp up efforts to go after driving habits KNOWN to cause accidents: DUI and texting while behind the wheel come to mind.

I have read some of the comments of why you don't red light light cameras, but can't quite understand them. Where are your facts? I use to work the company that installs and services the red light cameras in philly and they work. So when I come into the phily suburbs I see people trying to beat the lights all the time. So coming Barbara give me a break maybe you aren't paying that close of attention. So why are they doing it? Plain and simple because they know they won't get caught. So the number of no's doesn't really surprise me much I same sure that have reasons. But I can proably tell that more then a few of them do it more then a few times and don't want to get caught.

Another thing to mention is yes it is a reveunue generator. But since right now philly is the only place in the state that have the camera's they have to split all the revenues with the state of pa. What is the money used for? Help maintain your roads. So at least some of that money is not being taken from the taxpayers.

One last thing they do save lives. If you need more convincing goto youtube and search red light camera crashes.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

If it is a deterrant for people running red lights then I am all for it. Countless times I get a left turn arrow and have to wait while 3-4 cars turn left off of 23 on to 113 by the McDonalds. I willing to bet if these people had to pay $100 for doing it, they wouldn't do it again. While we are at it, how about adding them to 4 way intersections, and any intersection that has the pedestrian crossing lights. Always love it when I have a green light, and some yutz ignores the don't walk and proceeds to step in front of me. Note to pedestrians, just because we have to yield to you doesn't give you the right to just walk in front of my car.

Besides, if cops aren't sitting at an intersection to pull over people running red lights they will be available for other stuff like DUI Checkpoints.

As far as the whole invasion of privacy thing goes, you are on a public street, as such you shouldn't have an expectation of privacy.

Big Brothers watching, Red light camera,drones,snake in the grass!!

1. Check out how many drivers go through the lights right in front of the LM police station

2. Maybe if drivers understood that the Rules of the Road are for everyone and their safety, we would not be having this discussion.

I think it is a great idea, the driving in West Chester is terrible and the police are virtually nonexistent these cameras also need to be on the roads like 82 going toward Coatsville or the 322 bypass where people drive 20 and 30 miles an hour over the speed limit all the time. I lived in the UK where these cameras are used all the time, they are very effective.

MJP I will have to agree with you violations drop, so revenue drops from where a camera is installed. Only because people become aware the cames at those intersections. But what you said about The fact is the police have no desire to ticket the drivers, too much paperwork, too much of a hassle is not true. Even before you get your red light ticket in the mail, there is someone who checks it to make sure it is a valid ticket. They could be the police department, PPA or whom ever. Still alot of hassle and paper work involved.

Worth reading: http://blog.motorists.org/red-light-cameras-increase-accidents-5-studies-that-prove-it/

Opposed. The cost of these cameras is extraordinary. Also running red lights is not really a HUGE problem in Radnor. I've seen much worse. As well, when I get a ticket in the mail, how do I know it is me and not one of my three sons driving my borrowed car? Unconstitutional to impose a penalty not really knowing who was driving the car.

Phoenixville is not impacted by this.

(Abridged copy of email I sent to Gov. Corbett on Sunday July1)
Dear Governor Corbett,
The House and Senate passed HB 254.
Philadelphia police data the cameras increased accidents when first installed, see: http://www.motorists.org/red-light-cameras/philadelphia-weekly
Philadelphia police data showed the cameras continue to increase accidents last fall, after years of operation, see: http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-25/news/30320420_1_red-light-cameras-automated-red-light-enforcement-red-light-intersections
I testified for the National Motorists Association at the House hearing last fall against the cameras and brought dozens of examples of increased accidents at camera installations and data that safer, longer yellow intervals on lights almost always produces fewer violations and greater safety than ticket cameras.
Every other person who testified at the hearing was from a group that is in the revenue stream from the cameras and could not possibly be considered unbiased.
The Philadelphia Police were NOT invited to testify, for reasons that should be obvious.
Please veto HB254 and do not allow Philadelphia to continue to decrease safety with more accidents at red light camera intersections, and do not allow expansion of this anti-safety revenue collecting program to any other city in your fine state.

James C. Walker
National Motorists Association
http://www.motorists.org
Ann Arbor, MI

Well, we use to have police at intersections to control traffic and the lights were their replacement. Now that we don't have an actual person standing in the middle of the street every day during high traffic the 'entitled' block intersections and run red lights rather than let those who have the legal right of way go through the intersection.

Seems like the red light cameras are just a further replacement of actually having a police officer standing in the middle of an intersection to control traffic and not violate the law.

blast them with a paint ball..big brother...

I rather deal with a camera than White Police. Radnor has no Black Americans on the police force,, take a look at this. Suit: White cops in sex scandal promoted, not fired
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20120702_Suit__White_cops_in_sex_scandal_promoted__not_fired.html

For those of you worried about Big Brother Watching, I suggest you stay in your homes and don't come out! You're paranoid whacko's. Don't you realize that every commercial establishment that you go to (grocery store, gas station, pharmacy, restaurant, convenient store, the mall, etc, etc, and hospitals and many homes) have MULITPLE cameras inside & out filming every movement made!! The police make use of those videos when there is a crime to identify the bad guy(s), use as evidence to catch & convict the bad guys. If you aren't a bad guy then PLEASE tell me what Big Brother is watching....are you so special that out of the 330 million people in the USA that Big Brother is watching you? Get real. Oh yeah, turn off your cell phone and land line...Big Brother is listening :)

This is a case of logomachy, the purpose of cameras is to primarily reduce speed, and this in turn may lead to fewer accidents. But that is not the main purpose of cameras. In a state with the arcane law that only the State Police can use radar guns these cameras are a very good deterrent to the flagrant speeding violations that are all over the burbs.

How much do you want to bet that there will be a collelation between the number of lights installed and the amount of $$$ Pileggi took in "campaign contributions" from the electrical union?

http://votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/47507/dominic-pileggi

OK, the issue, as I see it, is motorists seem to have forgotten how to drive, ignore red lights, stop signs, use cell phones, ignore speed limits, and do not exhibit plain common courtesy while behind the wheel. I don't know if cameras are the answer, but if not, then what is the answer?

Questions? How is a camera only getting a picture of the license plate is any different that a police officer standing in the middle of the road or on the curb taking down license plate numbers of those violating the law?

Aren't these cameras generally installed in areas of high traffic control problems and accidents?

How would people feel about increasing the numbers of police officers we have in our police departments to spend their days (instead of a red light camera) at all these areas immediately pulling over violators or a camera in hand (much like the radar guns) snapping licenses plate pictures of violators?

Some of us live in areas that don't even have a local police department, but we certainly have people driving on our roads that violate traffic laws and/or lack the ability to understand that red means stop.

Seriously, how many red light cameras do people believe will be installed in the suburbs? The law, does not say that all municipalities (will or must) install red light cameras.

My issue is actually with the red lights themselves. They aren't high enough! If you are in a regular car, behind a big truck, or a vehicle which sits high off the ground, you are unable to see the light period! I wouldn't have a problem with the cameras, if EVERYONE could see the red light! They either need to be placed on the opposite side of the road so EVERYONE could see them or they need to be placed up higher!

I have been reading and watching a lot regarding these cameras. My opinion has changed as a result. I am now opposed to their use. The fact is that they are expensive and do in fact send tickets to motorist driving in a manner that would not earn them a ticket if a cop was driving right behind them. There are municipalities, much larger than Radnor, who are dismantling their red light camera installations at costs in the hundreds of thousands. My research indicates that the weekly cost of operation is very high. Further, the yellow light duration is manipulated routinely, providing further evidence of the true reason for their use. With luck, we will only get a couple, and they will be easy to avoid. I feel the addition of a few more police officers on foot or bikes, would be a more prudent investment. I miss the cop on the beat, swinging a nightstick, walking past my front door.

The entire situation with these cameras really reinforces how putrid of a job our local municipalities and/or Penndot do at maintaining a proper flow of traffic on our region’s roads.
There is zero reason I should ever have to stop at a red light on Baltimore pike if I am traveling at the posted speed limit between major intersections. If I am traveling “north” on Baltimore pike after being stopped at the 420 intersection I should be able to travel all the way to Bishop Ave doing the speed limit without stopping. Every light on Baltimore Pike should be set sequentially change to allow all of the traffic to cross Baltimore Pike at the same time as the traffic coming from either the Bishop or 420 directions passes it.
The Brinton Lake area is another example of horrible light timing. There is no reason, unless one is waiting to make a left turn into one of the shopping areas, that one should have to get stuck at a red light between 322 and 202 on Baltimore Pike.
Shockingly Philadelphia has this down to a science on Chestnut and Walnut. If one simply does the speed limit after getting a green light, one can travel a great distance before having to stop for another red light.
Fix the timing on the lights and people will stop running them.

These cameras are only for taking $$$ from drivers. Some cameras were set too fast so it would cite you as you entered the intersection while yellow.

I found this interesting and timely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S4nr6nR2CI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Just got a flyer in my mailbox that says "Stop Red Light Ticket Cameras In Tredyffrin" and gives the date and time for the next Supervisor's meeting. Doesn't say who it's from, but says camera advocates are "chronic liars promoting a known fraudulent product in return for money." And then it says "for unbiased information..." (!) and gives several links. I guess this is supposed to be a pre-emptive strike?