One more time, here’s the problem

EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to a transcription error, these comments on Costa

Mesa’s red-light cameras were printed incorrectly on Friday’s Forum

page.

I don’t like the new red-light cameras, and here are some of the

reasons why:

At most signals, when a red-light runner is pulled over, the

officer will talk to the driver and ask why they ran the light.

During that questioning, the officer can determine if the driver is

drunk, has a medical problem and he can also run a check on the

driver for warrants or see if the car is stolen.

None of this can be achieved by taking a photograph of a car.

And, when an officer issues a ticket, it’s to the driver -- who

may or may not be the car’s registered owner. Most cities use radar

enforcement to stop speeders. This too, is modern technology, but

there is officer involvement, which I believe is better than a

camera.

I think these Big Brother cameras give a false sense of security

that all drivers will now stop for red lights. I have seen drivers

speed up to beat the camera’s flash, and I have seen them slam on

their brakes when the signal turns yellow. This is very unsafe.

Again, I strongly prefer the human element and effectiveness of

police officer involvement, but if the city must stay with this

camera concept, they should at least rethink where the citation

moneys go. How about expediting the repairs of our community streets

so drivers can concentrate on traffic signals instead of dodging

potholes?

MARK HARRIS

Costa Mesa