Red Light Runners in Alpharetta and Roswell Bring in the Green
By kwarmath on July 28th, 2007
This post is a little off my normal real estate related theme, but is something that affects North Fulton communities and something that affects its residents: Red Light Traffic Cameras.
The old saying goes that “Green mean go; Red means stop; and yellow means drive like hell.”
That is not the case any longer in Roswell and Alpharetta since the installation of cameras at two major intersections in Roswell and seven in Alpharetta. Believe me when I tell you that I know exactly where these nine intersections are and that I absolutely hit the breaks when the light turns yellow. I’m conditioned now.
I have no doubt in the effectiveness of the cameras preventing people from running red lights because I’ve noticed a change in my own behavior. I actually consider my actions before proceeding through a yellow light.
| Alpharetta Red Light Cameras North Point Parkway and Haynes Bridge Road
Main Street (Highway 9) and Academy Street Old Milton Parkway and North Point Parkway Old Milton Parkway and Haynes Bridge Road Old Milton Parkway and Main Street (Highway 9) West Side Parkway and Windward Parkway North Point Pkwy at Mansell Rd |
| Roswell Red Light Cameras Roswell Road (Highway 9) and Mansell Rd
Roswell Road (Highway 9) and Holcomb Bridge Rd |
When the lights were first installed I was afraid that I’d been caught a couple of times and wondered if I’d be getting a notice in the mail, but fortunately nothing arrived. However, the threat alone of a fine is enough to make me change my driving behavior. I’ve also learned that a violation is defined as crossing the “stop line” with your front tires after the light has turned red.
So why are people so upset with the cameras? House Bill 77 has been introduced in the Georgia House to do away with the cameras altogether. House Bill 590 has been introduced to reduce the maximum fine from $70 to $35.
I believe that people are upset because they see the cities making literally millions of dollars on fines from the cameras. Alpharetta has collected over a million dollars from its seven monitored intersections from July 2006 through June 2007. Roswell is on track to collect about $700,000 annually from its two monitored intersections.
Citizens feel it is sneaky, though, of their local government to use this “backhanded” way to fill their coffers. More accurately, I think that people are just very frustrated with traffic and fell they shouldn’t be fined anymore for occasionally slipping through an intersection. After all, the slow traffic is penalty enough.
To me it is a safety issue. As a realtor, I drive in Alpharetta and Roswell a LOT. I routinely see people run lights and stop signs and I’ve seen so many near misses I’ve lost count. If cameras change the driving behavior of other people like they have me, then that is a good thing and something I support.
The evidence is that is actually the case: Revenue from the cameras in Alpharetta is actually down in 2007 from 2006. That indicates fewer people running lights.
The City of Johns Creek doesn’t have any red light cameras yet, but is considering them – and frankly needs them along highway 141. Mayor Bodker says he is opposed to them if they are only revenue generators for the city.
First of all, I believe they actually reduce the worst kind of traffic accidents, but even if they don’t, what is wrong with enforcing the traffic laws and raising revenues that way? We tax “sin” in this country all the time with cigarette and alcohol taxes. Is running a red light a sin? If you T-bone and kill someone it is.
If it were possible to finance a government by fine revenues and sin taxes wouldn’t it be great to rely less on property and sales taxes? I digress…
In a recent survey of Alpharetta residents, 2,602 people responded to a question about various priorities in the area of traffic and roads. 
Installing more red light cameras was at the bottom of the list.
When asked how they would like to control litter, respondents overwhelming said enforce litter laws and impose fines. Yet when it comes to traffic, people don’t seem to want to enforce the law and impose fines.
To me, it is a lot like workplace drug testing. If you don’t have anything to hide, why would you oppose it. Now, if you don’t agree with the law itself, then that is a different problem, but the drug tests and the traffic cameras simply enforce the letter of the law. The problem is that they enforce them too well for some people.
In the end, traffic is the issue. More precisely, getting from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time with limited frustration without killing each other is the issue. My vote would be for more red light cameras and earmarking the revenue for traffic improvements: more turn lanes, longer turn lanes, intersection improvements, light timing, etc.
Ask anyone around here and traffic is the number one issue. The red light cameras just bring it to focus with the right shutter speed.
Charlotte was the first city in NC to install red light cameras, but I’ve seen little difference in the way people drive since they were installed. Then again, we are in NASCAR country – if you aren’t driving fast, you might as well not drive at all.
“If you don’t have anything to hide, why would you oppose it.”
Once again we hear the pathetic argument of those who have no argument…
But, to answer your question; Because it violates a persons right to cross-examine their accuser. Because it makes a mockery of our legal concept of “innocent until proven guilty” by shifting the burden of proof from the state to the citizen.
How is a red light camera any different than a camera in a convenience store or department story that captures video of a robbery or shoplifting.
How about innocent until caught on camera red handed breaking the law. Where is the mockery in that?
Please remove red-light cameras.
House Bill 77 contends the cameras violate the Sixth Amendment.
Larisa: It is interesting that you left this comment today, because in my mail TODAY was a fine from the City of Duluth for $70. Apparently I don’t know where all the monitored red lights are because they have me on camera last week at 5:45 AM at the intersection of Pleasant Hill Road and Peachtree Industrial.
The notice said the light had been red for .3 seconds and there is basically no way to appeal it unless you can prove that you were not driving the car, it was stolen or you were getting out of the way of a funeral procession or emergency vehicle.
The notice also says that “imposition of the penalty” will not go on my driving record or be used “in the provision of motor vehicle insurance.”
That’s good because I haven’t had a moving violation in probably 20 years and I’d hate for .3 seconds to ruin my record.
I’m curious about House Bill 77, though. Please keep us posted. Maybe I’ll get my $70 back some day.
Even though I’ve been “caught” now, I still don’t think I’m against the red light cameras. If I’d known there was one there I would have been more cautious. The point of the cameras though, is to make you more cautious at ALL intersections, not just the ones you know are monitored. I guess I failed that test ;-<.
By the way, the Sixth Amendment to the US Consitution reads as follows:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
I received a $70 ticket in the mail today from the City of Suwanee. I was not driving the car but I know who was. What erks me is the fact that I have been accused and wasn’t even driving. If they can’t produce evidence that I was driving, then I should NOT have to provide evidence that I was NOT driving.
Additionally, the Facts state that the number of rear end collisions INCREASE due to the installation of red light cameras although the more dangerous side impact collisions do decrease.
Let us take these cameras down. I am not guilty and should not have to prove it. My case is exactly what this bill is about.
Unless you are affiliated with the city, and extorting money from the red light camera fund, you should not be supporting the UNCONSTITUTIONAL cameras generating LOCAL ONLY income from tax paying citizens that may or may not have commited any crime at all. The Dept. of Motor Vehicles don’t get the information about your ticket because they would want the money.
Be sensible people these cameras are helping no one.
More fuel for the fire…if you are interested in this topic, you might want to check out how the Texans are handling it.
I still want to know if the use of red light cameras in Georgia is reversed will I get my $70 back? ;->