THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 1996 TAG: 9601120193
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
While acknowledging T.L. Albertson of Suffolk (Dec. 11 Virginian-Pilot) may be correct in assuming the Virginia Beach Police Department is motivated by revenue possibilities to install cameras at traffic lights, I disagree as to the expected result.
I have experienced firsthand the use of such cameras. Cameras connected to red lights have been used in Australia for a number of years. They are also attached to police cars to photograph speeding vehicles. Therefore, police do not waste time apprehending violators as tickets are automatically mailed to the offender together with a photograph of the violation.
As Mr. Albertson points out, cameras are difficult to cross-examine in court. The result is the majority of the population obey traffic rules and police time, incurred by stopping the offender, writing tickets and appearing in court, is thus saved. Perhaps allowing police more time to solve or prevent ``real crime.'' One difference in the proposed system, however, is that tickets in Australia do incure ``points'' on licenses.
People breaking the law are the only ones who have anything to fear from these cameras. The camera is only activated by cars moving through the intersection when the light is red. I believe this system would have beneficial results.
G. Slippy
Virginia Beach
What is it that keeps Virginia Beach drivers from stopping at a red light? Whatever it is, no one can possibly be in such a hurry to the point of stupidity! Should we as drivers who share the local roads allow such unnecessary and irrelevant behavior? How many more drivers are going to assume the same selfish mentality as those patienceless drivers? Must I, the driver with the right of way, be sent to an emergency room because some other driver just does not want to stop?
As a commuter of our local highways and byways, Virginia, it's time to enforce the law, or am I in the dark on this issue? How many more times will I suddenly stop just in time before a head-on collision. . .
To those drivers who would be so thoughtless as to run a red light, LOOK OUT! Sooner or later someone will get you. If not a police officer or your own consciousness it just might be another driver like you.
To our local law officials and government leaders, DO SOMETHING! Would you just sit on the plush seat of your office and boast your title? Were you not elected by us to lead us? Then lead us. Establish a heavier fine, new law or stricter consequences for those drivers who would simply run a red light and become a potential highly dangerous road hazard. If you don't stop the chaos before it becomes an epidemic, then who will?
Marvin G. Reyna
Virginia Beach by CNB