Blog
Traffic Offence Cameras
Date: 9/12/2003
It seems at least some people are waking up to the fact that speed cameras are not doing their job, despite the lame excuses offered up by the incumbant Roads and Traffic Authority. Finally people are getting "it", that it's about revenue and not safety.

Take for example, my own experiance with red light cameras. Driving along I come upon a red light camera sitting on flat road in a 60km/h zone. The orange / amber period is a mere 2(.3?) seconds, well below the time required to come to a stop at that speed, and a LONG way below that mandated by the RTA's own guidelines (4-4.5 seconds for those conditions). So we get "booked" entering the intersection 0.6 seconds after the light went red. Which by my calculations would still put us in the amber period on any other CORRECTLY configured traffic light.

So how do I react to this same traffic light these days? Well I certainly perpare the car (and occupants) for some pirotechnics, drop down a gear, which winds up the 1st turbo for a full power (206kw) launch across the intersection if the light bumps to amber, or screaming ABS pumping stop if I don't think I can make it. And I have to wonder whether they have installed a speed camera as well, which no doubt would get me storming over the line. So lets review my options if I arrive at this intersection at the wrong time:
  • Boot it across the line, excessive acceleration, risk speeding fine.
  • Slam on the brakes, risk collecting the camry tailgating me. (At which the RTA won't foot the bill)
  • Coast through the intersection, get fined, risk going postal at the RTA.
So who's the safer now? The ******* RTA in their cosy little offices collecting the cash one way or the other. Where as we deal with added "taxes" on our roads and less safty.

Btw if anyone feels like doing something deconstructive about the situation in Sydney, lets talk!
 
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