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Photo Enforcement

  • Are Red Light Cameras A Safety Hazard?

    Among the many things in the new century that drivers love to hate, red light cameras are surely near the top of the list. These intrusive devices have become the bane of city driving at intersections across America. Aside from the budget busting cost of the tickets generated by these cameras, the concept of being monitored and photographed by the government while inside their own vehicle can be annoying, unnerving, and more than a little creepy to many drivers. Add to that the burden of proof placed on the poor soul unlucky enough to be caught in the snare of one or more of these traps around an intersection, and 2011 is more like 1984.

    There are many reasons given to support the use of red light cameras, and, not surprisingly, they are all staunchly defended by both local cash strapped governments in search of revenue and the companies who install and maintain them in search of cash cows. There is, however, one aspect to the whole Red Light Camera debate which I believe, from my own personal experience, is just flat out, dangerously wrong.

    Safety.

    Proponents of red light cameras claim that the primary reason for having them is to deter drivers from running red lights, which, at least in theory, reduces the number of accidents at a given intersection and makes it safer for drivers, pedestrians, everyone.

    Opponents of such devices say they are only there to generate revenue for local governments and red light camera companies, and actually cause more accidents than they prevent. Many concerned and frustrated drivers turn to photo enforcement defense to protect themselves and their wallets from such threats.

    Numerous studies have been performed on this very issue. Some studies show that red light cameras decrease the number of accidents and fatalities at intersections where they are installed; other studies show an increase. In other words, the results are mixed. Based on the collective data from all of them combined, the outcome of each study seems to depend somewhat on the study itself: who performed the study, how the study was performed and, most importantly, who funded it.

    According to some of these studies, red light cameras and the red lights that accommodate them are tweaked to deliver maximum revenue potential. Whether that allegation is actually true or not may necessitate a study of its own. However, at least a few of those studies seem to be corroborated by the drivers who encounter red lights equipped with cameras and report that the duration of yellow caution lights at such intersections often drops from the traditional five seconds, down to three seconds or less.

    Consider also that for some reason (whether intentional or not) some of these cameras seem a little trigger happy when the lights are still yellow and there is little doubt why some drivers are a bit suspicious when it comes to true motive for these contraptions.

    Numbers can be manipulated, but facts are facts. The fact is, I feel more at risk of having an accident at an intersection equipped with these camera traps than one without. I feel it. It's that sense of heightened awareness and foreboding that at any second, the light can change and put me in the dangerous position of either risking a ticket or risking an accident by trying to avoid one.

    Here is a classic example of why I think red light cameras actually serve to cause accidents instead of prevent them. This is a true story.

    On the afternoon of December 31, 2010, my family and I drove from Charlotte, North Carolina to Wilmington to ring in the new year with my sister, brother-in-law and young nephew. With me was my wife, my 12 year old daughter, my 11 year old son and his dog. The three hour trip covered city and highway, starting with a long stretch of road that was a little of both.

    This latter portion of road, while technically built as a highway, went right through various towns, and the first third of those had a number of red light intersections. They were generally not equipped with red light cameras and I didn't worry about them. I didn't run any, either. Aside from heavy traffic flow, the trip to Wilmington was largely uneventful.

    Then we entered Wilmington. The sun had set and it was now early evening. As soon as we entered town, we encountered red light camera traps. We felt trapped, because they were at nearly every intersection along our route. Suddenly I was on high alert.

    Green lights went yellow and almost instantly changed to red. It seemed as though all these intersections were rigged to catch any driver they could whether that driver intended to run a red light or not. I slowed the car down and approached each intersection carefully, ready to brake at the first sign of a yellow light. Yet I still had to maintain a reasonable speed to prevent disrupting the flow of traffic and angering drivers behind me.

    The yellow lights did not last long but I was cautious enough to anticipate the changes and stop in time. In fact, I was so focused on the lights I found it difficult to concentrate on the rest of the road. The red light cameras themselves were a major distraction.

    While we were waiting at one light, I glanced at the intersection a few blocks ahead. The lights at that intersection turned yellow. A car ahead of us entered the intersection just as the lights went red. Flash! Flash! Flash! The entire intersection lit up as if it were high noon. Great, I thought. If all the lights on this road are timed properly, I should be able to make it through that light on the next cycle while it's still green.

    We got the green light at our stop and we moved forward. A few moments later the light at the next intersection turned green as well, and I thought we had it made.

    I was wrong.

    Just as we approached the light, it turned yellow. I was well within the speed limit, but we were so close there was no time to stop safely without violently slamming on the brakes. Worse yet, there was a car right behind me with no sign of slowing down. If I suddenly stopped, he would not be able to react in time and likely plow right into us. On the other hand, based on what happened to the last car, I knew I wouldn't make the yellow light.

    My first reaction was to hit the brake, but logic overruled instinct. I had to make a split second decision: either run the light and get a ticket I could not afford - or slam on the brakes and get hit from behind, hurting or possibly even killing those in the car behind me, myself, or, worse, the ones I love.

    I decided to keep going. As I passed underneath, I looked up. Yellow turned to red just as the traffic light passed over the windshield and out of sight. My pulse quickened, I held my breath, and turned my gaze back to the road. For a moment my mind went blank. I stared straight ahead, waiting for the dreaded three flashes of light to flood my peripheral vision.

    If the flashes came, I didn't notice them. We made it safely across the intersection without causing an accident. I haven't received a ticket in the mail yet, either, although we all know that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

    All I know is this. In one brief moment I had to decide whether to prevent a ticket and have an accident, or have a ticket and prevent an accident. When it comes to red light camera traps, you can be punished for doing the right thing. You can lose either way.

    You can have the studies. My position on red light cameras is based on my actual experiences with them. I find them dangerous, not only to my rights, but to my safety - and the safety of those with and around me.

  • We Wish Everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday!

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    Buy Radar Detectors would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday! Our offices will be closed for the day on Christmas Eve, Friday December 24, 2010. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Facebook page or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, December 27, 2010 at (800) 584-1445. Please stay safe while traveling, remember to keep your radar detector on and watch your speed.

  • Get the Red Light and Traffic Cameras Out of Your State!

    It looks like this November there are going to be a few more initiatives to remove redlight cameras. Residents in Mukilteo, Washington and Anaheim, California have campaigns to get rid of the refuge of crooked politicians. They are joining a large number of communities that have had it with excessive fees, and increased accident rates caused by cameras.

    Until the cameras are gone, we are going to continue to carry photo protection equipment for you to use to save yourself from high price tickets! We encourage all of you to contact your local politicians and let them know how you feel about redlight and traffic cameras.

  • Update your Redlight Camera Detectors!

    Just a reminder, make sure to update your redlight camera detectors and radar/camera detectors. The detectors use a database of known camera locations and compare it to your current GPS coordinates. The only way to be warned about new cameras is to have a current database.

    Here is where you should go to download the most recent database (some of the manufacturers have a fee, but it is cheaper than a ticket):

    Whistler Brand Detector Updates

    Beltronics Brand Detector Updates

    Escort Brand Detector Updates

    Cobra Brand Detector Updates

    Cheetah Brand Detector Updates

    The databases used to report camera locations are regularly updated. Because of this, we even recommend checking for updates with brand new devices. Even though we are well known for having a very current inventory, there is still a few weeks time between factory production/shipping/distribution. Don't get a ticket because your database is not up to date!

  • The Cheetah C50 Redlight / Speed Camera Detector is Here!

    Here at Buy Radar Detectors we dislike red light cameras as much as the rest of you, so we are always looking for new items to help protect all of us from those idiotic tax generators. We think a lot of you are going to like the new Cheetah C50 Redlight / Speed Camera Detector.

    The C50 is very compact in size and has some great features including voice alerts, and the Trinity database. The Trinity database is available for the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Europe. Cheetah's membership package includes database updates via the internet.

    The C50 will also warn you of high accident areas, and you can even set your own personal alert locations. No more forgetting about the local speed trap!

    We have the Cheetah C50 Redlight / Speed Camera Detector ready to go out of our warehouse for $99.99 with free shipping!

  • Arizona says Goodbye to Cameras

    An interesting news story is making it way around. Arizona has decided to remove state ran speed and red light cameras. According to the story:

    Even Gov. Jan Brewer has said she doesn't like the cameras, and her intention to end the program was first disclosed in her January budget proposal. That was followed by a non-renewal letter sent by the Arizona Department of Public Safety this week to the private company that runs the program.

    This is great news to motorist, and even better news for people living in Arizona. Regular readers of this blog know that speed cameras create more safety problems than they solve. Arizona has been one of the heaviest users of speed and red light cameras, and this may set a precedent for other states to stop using cameras to generate revenue.

    Unfortunately, the removal of the cameras will not be at the local level. For now, only state ran cameras are going away, until perhaps a possible November ballot on the issue:

    The end of the state program does not affect local governments' use of cameras for speed enforcement, but the proposed ballot measure would prohibit state and local governments from using cameras for both speed violations and red-light running.

    So everyone in Arizona needs to contact their state and local representatives, and let them know about how you feel about the issue, then voice your opinion in the November ballot.

    For now red light cameras will continue to operate in towns and cities across Arizona. Until all of the cameras are gone, we will continue to find camera detectors, plate covers and other protective devices to help defend yourself from these obtrusive and wreck causing cameras. They only exist to make money off of people. The so called "representatives of the people" that put them in do not care about your safety, just your wallet.

  • Another City Caught Shortening Yellow Lights at Intersections

    An article about a city shortening yellow lights in order to boost fines from red light cameras is in the news again. An interesting point brought up in comments to the article, some cities are removing the cameras after they are no longer generating enough money. So much for having the cameras in place for safety.

    We carry a growing line of red light camera products designed to protect you from being a victim to some town's money making scheme. From red light camera detectors to items offering a more direct defense, we have what you are looking for!

  • Whistler RCL-100 and RLC-250 Software Updates are Available

    Just a quick post, if you have a Whistler-100 or RLC-250 new software updates are now available.

  • They Shorten the Yellow Lights!

    The cities that install red light cameras would not shorten the yellow lights would they? Even in towns that are not purposely trying to rip-off their citizens, the people installing the camera systems are. According to this article, Redflex in the city of League City, Texas has been busted doing just that!

    "The camera company installed cameras here like they have done elsewhere where they knew they could take advantage of the poor engineering and short yellow change intervals," Schirmbeck told TheNewspaper. "Instead of fixing the problem and seeing what effect that has they choose to profit from a dangerous situation."

    The practice of shortening yellow light intervals is very common because it is also very profitable. From the story:

    "A study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that violations jumped 110 percent when yellow light timing was reduced by one second under the bare minimum amount (view study). Conversely, the addition of one second beyond the bare minimum yielded a 40 percent collision reduction."

    So there you go. The cities and companies that put in red light cameras do not care about your safety. In fact they are making driving more dangerous on purpose so they can make money off of you. This is not a gray area, if you live where politicians have installed cameras they are purposefully endangering your safety to make money.

    Protect yourself with a red light camera detector. We have several to choose from and they might just save you from getting a ticket.

  • The Whistler RLC 250

    Whistler's new RLC 250 is their new entry into the line of red light and speed camera warning systems. Many RLC systems use a small monochrome display, the RLC-250 instead has a 1.6", easy to read, multi-color display. Like other RLC systems, the RLC-250 compares your current GPS location with an on-board database of red light and speed camera locations and alerts you when you are near one.

    Whistler RLC 250
    It is also a lot smaller than you might think. In the picture is a Whistler XTR 695 SE (I told you we had them in stock!), a Whistler RLC 100, and in the front is the Whistler RLC 250. It is much more compact than most radar detectors. Also, one thing many people overlook is that since you only need to have a clear GPS signal, it can be mounted just about anywhere on the dash. Yes, that means even on top of the driver's side console. Just make sure it has an unobstructed path for a clear GPS signal.

    One thing we do not like, it seems to be lacking the ability to plug a radar detector into it like you are able to do with the RLC 100. We really would have liked to have had that ability. I am sure many of you are like we are and have way too many gadgets already plugged in as it is. Well at least we have some cigarette lighter adapter / splitters available.

    If you have been looking for a compact RLC with a nice display, then give the RLC 250 a look. We have them here for $114.95. They are much cheaper than a ticket for not coming to a complete stop before turning right on a red light. Crooked politicians.

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