Should red light cameras be used to catch drivers on cellphones?

 Should red light cameras be used to catch drivers using cellphones?

Buried in a critical audit last week of Los Angeles’ photo enforcement program was some intriguing language about new ways police might use the ever-vigilant intersection cameras.

“LAPD also stated that the existing (program) equipment currently detects numerous other violations that impact driver safety and if cited would result in additional penalties and fees,” says the audit conducted by City Controller Wendy Greuel.

The program is intended to increase safety and decrease traffic deaths, the city says. But the audit noted the cameras cost more than $1 million a year to operate, partly because most of the $500 in fines and fees courts impose on red-light violators go primarily to the state and county.

Among violations being detected by the cameras, cellphone use is “extremely common” and failure to wear a seat belt is “very common,” the audit notes. Making improper turns from a lane is “fairly common.”

Other violations being observed: failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks; having earphones in both ears; reckless driving; speed contests; and expired registration.

State law would have to be changed to allow camera citations for violations other than running a red light. LAPD officials declined to comment, citing their current push to overhaul the program and seek bids for a new, multimillion-dollar contract next year.

The deal could include a major expansion of the program to additional intersections.

What do you think? Should red light cameras also be used to enforce texting and cellphone bans on the road? What about other traffic laws?

-- Rich Connell

Photo: A red light camera at the intersection of Garfield Ave and Via Campo in Montebello. Credit: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Larry J. L]

That's just retarded!!! So if I let my friend borrow my car and he drives it while using his cell phone, I get the ticket! Better yet lose 1 day's wages, having to go fight the ticket. This is a brilliant idea!!! Please lets have more stupid laws pass.

[Erwin]

When oppressive governments crumble there is rejoicing acros the land at the end of government intrusion into private citizens' affairs. So, we start with cell phones and texting in cars, seat belts, registration, etc. Eventually it's on to facial recognition for a national database, then ... where does it stop?

[Ringo]

Who wants to live like this? Incrementally losing the right to live free, being monitored at all times to look for "violations." If citizens were allowed to vote on red light cameras, they would never go up in the first place. Our rights are already being trampled by this system, and they think only of expanding it. Terrible. Put red light cameras to a public vote!!!

[Smith]

Its a patent revenue raiser for the city's pensions trgeting drivers already harrassed to the point of fury by over eager parking and traffic cops. Increased insurance premiums for ticketed drivers will also flow to insurance companies outside the County and California, causing a net money loss to LA County. And if allowed, it won't stop there: cameras will soon be looking for expired tags, inoperable lights, missing mirrors, obstructed rear view mirrors and what not.

[MoJo]

Lol!!! I'm with Larry. Anyway, I got an idea...why don't they just start pulling everyone over?! I bet almost everyone would get cited for something or even for intent to do something.

[My view means nothing.]

Well, if it where possible to get the camera system to differentiate between a sandwich and a cell phone, why not! Sounds ridiculously complex and expensive though. Don't bother.

[DeLia CA]

Larry, just be more careful about who you lend your car to!!

This is a great idea!! As a pedestrian, I wish they'd have a police sting or something similar at the intersections I cross. Either drivers don't know the law or they just don't care!! I'm curious as to what would trigger the camera. Right now, it's just red light violations, correct? And in reviewing those pictures, law enforcement spots other violations?

Another issue is collecting on those fines! I read an article recently saying that hundreds of thousands of dollars in these red light camera violations are owed the city. Collecting on those would certainly help balance CAs ailing budget. Why spend time pointing the finger (or camera) at violators if there is no follow through??

[nickflhx]

Lets use the cameras for smokers, jaywalkers, kids riding bikes with no helemets
public kissing, wlaking to fast or to slow, hey lets just regulate everything, hike taxes, fee's send all our jobs overseas and see whats left..............shesssssshhhh.

Enough already THANK GOD!!!!!!!!! I moved form cali.........

[heckman]

YES!!!!
use the cameras to issue tickets for cell phone use!!! get the maximum use of those cameras....and revenue for the city

[Jones]

We should just have electronic RFID tags put just under our skin with microphones active and a speaker that says "John Spartan, you are fined $450 for a violation of the verbal moralities law, failing to stop prior to the cross walk line and using a cell phone without a hands free kit." Thank you for registering your vehicle unlike the illegal guy from Mexico that was driving in the lane next to you. We'll call this a tax on the struggling middle class. Thanks Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, you've been representing California well for the last 28 years.

[BookUmDano]

I say GO FOR IT! Get these distracted hacks off the road or let them add to the general fund. I am sick of dodging these selfish, self absorbed, entitled fools who create driving hazards.... 45mph on the fwy, drifting, missing the light, NOT WATCHING THE ROAD.... 9 out of 10 times when someone is being an idiot driver, I have observed... They're on the phone!!!....
The city could rebound from the red to the black in no time.

And, if you lend your car to a friend, and they get a ticket, have them pay the fine online on "your" computer while "you" watch and get "your" confirmation print out. Why go to court? ... But then again, why lend your car to irresponsible people? Are you Hertz? What if they kill some one while on the phone? They could get a parking ticket and not tell you, you wake up one day and have a boot on your car...lol. Better have good insurance...

Driving is not a right... it's a privilege that can be revoked for stupid behavior...

[MoJo]

Yeah that's a good one Jones! They might as well start putting chips under our skin! Soon or later we're going to have one placed under our skin on the hand or forehead...so why not start it up now! What are they waiting for?? The Anti-christ???? >=P

[george]

it is good that they are going to crack down on drivers that drive and are being disrtacted by something. especially those that drive while using a cell phone. the only thing it should include law enforcement also, just the other day i was driving on the street and a sherrif patrol car was next to me and kidd you not both the driver and passenger were on there cell phones. this is not the first time i have seen this. if the law enforcement wants to crack down on this whole distraction while driving, they need also follow the rules.

[Mufon]

The critics, rather humorously going overboard with their purported fears of an Orwellian existence, would be the first to squawk if someone ran a red light or hit them while talking on a cell phone. Driving is a privilege, not a right, first of all, check the driver's handbook. And while these bloggers, presumably bad drivers in their own right, may protest re the cameras being used to enforce "verbal moralities," whatever that is, I ask them this: if someone ran a red light at such a controlled intersection and hit your car, then claimed you were the one at fault, would you demand the photo not be reviewed? If you are true to your principles, you'd take the blame. After all, we don't want too much Big Brother, do we?

[pmg]

How long before we have full blow CCTV United Kingdom style monitoring?

[stwsr]

I'm not one for the government or anyone monitoring and ruling over our lives. However, I see many many people out there who have no clue how to behave in public or control themselves. There is a reason why these laws are being pushed on the general public and with good reason.

Maybe just maybe if more people were self-aware of their behavior while out in public, we wouldn't need rules and regulations such as these.

Think about it.

[Collis P Huntington]

Yes! Its a great cost effective way to apprehend those who break the law! There's no excuse for any driver to hold a phone when wireless headsets are cheap and plentiful.

[Brad Stuart]

Use them to enforce the law or change the law so that.... OMG I think I just ran someone over!!

[James S.]

If they can make it work, absolutely $100.00 a pop. I still see people on the phone, texting, and surfing the net while they drive.

[CD]

The libertarian/sociopaths vs pedestrians/bicyclists again. Well, keep arguing. In the meantime, I'm taking matters into my own hands. I always take video when I walk with 2-3 cameras. My cousin is a lawyer. You want to have freedom to run lights and stopsigns and play with your electronic equipment while driving? Well, I promise to pursue any case I video, including other pedestrians and cyclists. With GPS and time stamps, we will prevail in court and get more than your stupid fines.

[Larry J. L]

Reading some great responses!!
Yes, it would be rather stupid to loan your car out to someone irresponsible, espically if you knew some of my friends...
I do think that having a chip in certain people is a great idea, sex offenders, child molesters, come to mind... Please see

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/10/sex-offenders-can-be-difficult-for-police-and-state-parole-agents-to-track-lapd-detective-says.html

But in general, we just have bad drivers here. Whether on the phone, eating, picking their nose... They just can't drive period.

[mnemon]

Wonder what the odds are that the vociferous railing against illegal immigrants because "they broke the law!!!", goes hand in hand with attempted avoidance of any responsibility for doing likewise where dangerous driving habits are concerned.

[RobertM]

I am of the opinion that red-light camera enforcement does reduce red light running and intersection collisions. While some of these other ideas are possibly worth exploring, I don't think they should be used as ammunition for people opposed to red-light camera enforcement to attack the basic camera use to catch red light runners.

[minie]

Little wacky, I think the should stick with what they were designed for.. ticketing red light runners

[Arturo]

Really? Can't this money be better spent hiring REAL police officers? I'm not one to go on conspiracy, but this is turning too much into a George Orwell novel.