I am writing in regards to the Wednesday, April 23, article in the Renton Reporter titled “Red-light cameras on duty May 1.” I’m glad that such action is being taken, but appalled that so little is being done toward making the roads safer.
Installing red-light cameras are a great idea as a partial solution to a potentially serious problem. However, it is to be noted that many people who have plenty of time to stop when a light turns amber, as required by law (RCW 46.61.055) may also still be in the intersection when a light is red. In addition, why are cameras only being installed at four intersections? And why should the intersections where the cameras are to be installed be announced and published? If people know where the cameras are, then although they are more likely to obey the law, they will still break it and jeopardize lives elsewhere; and in fact, the occurrence of such events may actually increase at other intersections.
Furthermore, there are many more laws that are broken on a regular basis, many with much more regularity than people violating red light signals. Speeding, for instance, is unbelievably out of hand everywhere, including the entire Seattle area. I realize that one reason speed limits are ignored by more than 98 percent of the population is partly because of lack of manpower when it comes to law enforcement. However, why not use cameras, or even people reporting license plate numbers of speeding vehicles, to combat such violators?
The article also refers to cameras in front of three schools to help fine speeders. However, the fees will not begin until 6 mph over the limit. Isn’t as little as 1 mph over the limit breaking the law? When a speed limit is set for safety purposes, it’s a fixed number, and there is no reason to give leeway on such an indisputable value.
Contrary to what most people believe, it is not OK to violate this law.
I ask that people please follow the laws of the road and help make them safer for the millions of others who share them. I ask for much better enforcement of laws that are constantly violated, and though I realize that is asking for either a lot of civilian participation, or a lot of extra money for cameras and other such equipment, I believe that such an endeavor would definitely be worth the safety of individuals on the roads.
Please help follow laws and save lives. Thank you.
Nick Eckstein
Renton
