THE RED-LIGHT CAMERA SCAM

By Donn K. Harms

Red light cameras, as we have all seen from the City of San Diego's debacle, are nothing more than slot machines at our intersections. They do not catch red light runners - they time yellow lights. They don't prevent accidents. Studies in Los Angeles and Australia show they actually cause more accidents.

Did you know:

• It is easy for the City to change the odds by shortening the yellow lights to catch more people. (Vista "caught" over 4000 people in August)

• The City sends a ticket to the owner of the license plate.

• You are held guilty until proven innocent.

• If they make a mistake, you have to prove it.

• If the ticket is lost in the mail, and you don't respond to it, a warrant is issued for your arrest.

• If you were not driving, you are forced to testify under penalty of perjury, against your wife, husband, son, or daughter, or whoever was driving your car!

• There is no valid evidence that cameras reduce accidents. In fact, a recent Los Angeles study found they actually increased accidents.

  Donn Harms thinks we need more police enforcement and not $350 tickets for getting caughtin the City's yellow light trap. He will work toremove these revenue generators and ensure thatintersections are instead properly engineered, to reduce accidents.