It's very simple to explain... Let's say you're approaching a crowded intersection on a street that has a posted speed limit of 35 mph. You have another car following 6 ft. behind you at the same speed. The intersection is 70 ft across. The yellow light is set for 3.5 seconds before it turns red.

You are 30 ft. from the intersection when the light turns yellow.

Got the scenario ?

Your only chance of stopping at the "LINE" is by slamming on the brakes. Not a good idea, since there's somebody behind you. (AGREE ?)

The responsible driver would normally slow a bit while going through an intersection, especially one that is busy. (AGREE ?)

Your only chance of clearing the intersection on the other side before the light turns red is by increasing your speed by 8.5 mph (AGREED ?)

If you maintain the posted speed limit and proceed through the intersection you will get 7/10ths through the intersection before the light turns red and will not activate the camera.

Now, if the local municipality decides to shorten the yellow light to 3 seconds and you repeat the same exercise, you will be in a part of the intersection that NOW activates the camera and you've just gotten yourself a fine for $285.

Got the PICTURE ? No pun intended !!!

I look at it like Las Vegas Blackjack, I'm the casino and I want to make sure I increase my odds of taking your money, so I use seven decks of cards to lessen your chance of winning and increase my chance of taking your money. So, If I was making money from giving you a ticket for "TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS" without using police officers to get the job done !!! (GET THE PICTURE ?)

Worse yet, Now I offer the company who installs and maintains the traffic cameras a percentage of the revenue that I generate from the traffic camera fines... This was the case in San Diego CA and West Los Angeles...


Trust me, I'm no liberal and have some sympathy with the state of finances of local municipalities, but this is STRONG ARMED ROBBERY.