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Smile when you run that red light

mini-camera.jpgAs of today, you may now receive a $101 ticket in the mail if one of the city's newly installed traffic cameras catches you running a red light. The cameras are being placed in four intersections with the highest number of red-light related crashes throughout Seattle. The locations are as follows:

-Roosevelt Way NE & 45th St. NE.
-Denny Way & Fairview Ave. N.
-5th Ave. & Spring St.
-Rainier Ave. S. & Orcas St. S.

Theoretically, the cameras' presence will improve traffic safety and reduce the number of crashes at not only the locations listed above but other, non-monitored intersections where motorists are unsure if they are being taped.

Now, Seattlest fully advocates traffic safety and responsible driving, however what we cannot condone is thinly veiled revenue streams for the police that operate under the guise of "Traffic Safety Improvements." Wouldn't a big, fat sign stating the presence of cameras be more of a safety boon than the surreptitious ticketing of unaware lawbreakers?

Not one to sit on our hands, Seattlest called the mayor's office today to request signs announcing the presence of traffic cameras. We left a voicemail. That's us, fighting the good fight one recorded message at a time.

Mayor Greg Nickels
206-684-CITY (206-684-2489).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.
By Chris Hanger in on June 22, 2006 3:53 PM

Comments [rss]

  • jason

    my guess is that the roosevelt & 45th cameras will be used to ticket those who are blocking the intersection. traffic's rarely moving quickly enough for someone to speed through a light. there are definitely signs up that blocking the intersection will cost you $101, but cops are almost never around to catch someone doing it.

  • We've been spied on^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H protected for a few years down here in Lakewood. I make it a point to slam on my brakes the instant the lights turn yellow. I haven't gotten rear-ended yet, but that's what the result of red light cameras tends to be, and I see point in paying a fine when I could be contributing to anti-camera stats.



    (And don't get me started on the speed limits next to the high school, requiring 20 MPH at 8:00 a.m. on summer holidays, like July 4. The cops say "no, we won't enforce it", but that's both ill comfort, and possible grounds for being an unconstitutionally vague law.)

  • Seth

    Or you could just moon the cameras.

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