subject: The Effectiveness Of Red Light Cam On The Roads [print this page] A red light cam can catch you breaking the traffic rules so you need to be very cautious when driving on the road. Even if you have an urgent meeting to attend or a flight to catch, you should not cross the speed limit or else you may end up getting more delayed if stopped by a police officer. These cameras are installed at vantage points on the road to find out if you are obeying the traffic rules. If you pass an intersection when the red light is on, you are breaking the traffic rules and will be liable for fines and punishments if caught on camera.
How the Device Works
The principle behind the working of a red light cam is very simple. They act automatically without the intervention of police officials. By monitoring the traffic signals they can find out if a vehicle is over-speeding and if it crossed the line before the signal changed to green. If you are found violating the rules, then you may have to pay a fine under the government rules. These devices capture images and photographs which show a vehicle entering an intersection and leaving it. It can easily show if the driver violated a traffic rule.
Getting Photographic Evidence
It is possible to learn a lot about the driver and the vehicle from the red light cam images. The police officers can find out about the date when this occurred along with the time. They can also get the speed at which you were driving and record your license plate number. You will easily get caught if you drive above the speed limit and since there is photographic evidence against you, you will soon get a ticket in the mail. You have to then pay fines and appear in the traffic court to answer for your violations.
Placement of the Gadgets
Usually, the red light cam is stationed on high poles and at the corner of an intersection. They are aimed at the people crossing the intersection so that it can take photographs accurately. The cameras are there on all four corners of the intersection so that they can target all the people going in all directions. You will also get pictures from many angles. They can take perfect pictures so that there will be no doubt about the violation of the rules. You will not be able to argue that you were innocent in the face of evidence.
Pros and Cons of the Camera
There have been many arguments in favour of and against these devices. Sometimes, the tickets issued have no real evidence supporting them which has led to a public outcry. Some also feel that these cameras restrict the privacy of citizens. On the other hand, they have many benefits too. Many red light runners have been caught red handed which have prevented accidents. These gadgets have been helpful in saving many lives and preventing mishaps on the roads. Many crashes have been avoided, especially the right angle ones. But, it is a fact that whether there is a red light cam or not, you should make it a point to adhere to the road safety rules and drive with caution.
