Setting off stop light cameras

[glypnir]

I've done it unintentionally before. But tonight I did it on purpose.

At least around here, the stoplight running cams need to get a picture of you out of the intersection with the light red, followed by a picture of you in the intersection with the light red.

So if you zoom up to the line and put on the brakes at the last minute, flash, flash, flash.

If I have real trouble sleeping some night, I'll may just go do the nearest redlight cam and set it off over and over again. It's probably an engineering thing. When my friend Dan got his first radar detector, whenever he found a speed trap and had some time, he would approach it repeatedly from different angles and see what kind of indication he got.

Analyzing the parameters of the problem.

 

[Texas Star]

I hate those things! I went recently on a trip to central Texas, and most small towns along the way had them. Probably a significant source of the city incomes.

I think they sometimes cause accidents, as someone races to beat the camera.

T-Star

 

[Crazy K38]

I've done it unintentionally before. But tonight I did it on purpose.

At least around here, the stoplight running cams need to get a picture of you out of the intersection with the light red, followed by a picture of you in the intersection with the light red.

So if you zoom up to the line and put on the brakes at the last minute, flash, flash, flash.

If I have real trouble sleeping some night, I'll may just go do the nearest redlight cam and set it off over and over again. It's probably an engineering thing. When my friend Dan got his first radar detector, whenever he found a speed trap and had some time, he would approach it repeatedly from different angles and see what kind of indication he got.

Analyzing the parameters of the problem.

well that provided a good laugh

 

[smith revolver cop]

Here's the flip side...
As you've discovered, the red light cameras are actually tied in with radar, or some other form of speed detector. So, if it senses that you're going too fast to stop before the light turns red, it initiates the camera sequence.
So--- if you stop at the red light, but then drive slowly through it (when nobody is coming, of course!), it shouldn't activate the sequence. So much for the cameras deterring people from violating red lights! (I have not actually tested this theory, and do not recommend any of you do it, but from everything I know about the red light camera systems, they would not catch someone who stops at the red light but then proceeds through.)

 

[smith revolver cop]

Reminds my of an old Louie Anderson joke:

When it's raining really hard, I go out and run a stop sign. I can afford the fifty bucks; I just like seeing the cop get all wet!!!

 

[USAF385]

Sounds like someone needs a Wii..........

 

[Wayne02]

 

[2Loud4You]

That's when you need one of those James Bond flipping license plates.

 

[n4zov]

Here's the solution to those nasty old red light camera do-hickeys:

Police chief denounces 'cowardly' iPhone users monitoring speed traps | Washington Examiner

 

[glypnir]

Here's the solution to those nasty old red light camera do-hickeys:

Police chief denounces 'cowardly' iPhone users monitoring speed traps | Washington Examiner

That's a funny article. A billion dollars in revenue, huh? I don't think they should object to those phones, as it's going to get people to stop when they should.

Now if they put bluetooth on the radar detectors and have them talk to the iphone and update the database realtime, or if they put wireless wide area network into the already GPS equipped radar detctors https://www.escortradar.com/store/passport-9500ix.html, that would violate existing laws that cover talking about radar cops. At least I've heard that's illegal, to broadcast info about smokey doing his job. Speech is free, but the RF band is regulated.

Can you imagine, though,if everybody had a wireless network enabled radar/laser detector? It would be worse (or better depending on your perspective) than a passel of truckers with CBs. Realtime updates broadcast on the network whenever a new transmitter pops up.

Pop your laser or radar once, and everybody around would slow down. The possibilities for messing with that system boggle the mind.

 

[smithfan4152]

I know people who have been over the white line at the intersection, and they were ticketed not for running a light but for being over the white line that your supposed to stop behind.
So the lights flashed for them.

 

[Noah Zark]

Can you imagine, though,if everybody had a wireless network enabled radar/laser detector? It would be worse (or better depending on your perspective) than a passel of truckers with CBs. Realtime updates broadcast on the network whenever a new transmitter pops up.

A new activity for those twits who Twitter.


"Noah is enjoying frozen margaritas and fish tacos with friends at the Honi Honi Bar."

As if someone actually cares.

Noah

 

[jrm53]

Photos of License

I used to belong to the BMW car club of America and there was an advertiser that ran an ad selling a license plate clear cover and frame that he said would foil a picture of your license but would not be detectable as doing this in normal use, only if you tried to get a picture. Dont know if it worked as we never had any in Ar. at the time I just used a radar detector. I know I would love to have one of those devices that cops and firemen have so they can change a red light to green. Jeff

 

[glypnir]

I know people who have been over the white line at the intersection, and they were ticketed not for running a light but for being over the white line that your supposed to stop behind.
So the lights flashed for them.

I'm paranoid about that white line. I notice that most people in Texas aren't, because it's not that important here. But I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, where there are lots of hills and narrow streets. Sometimes the white lines are in strange spots back from the intersection. Those, especially, you had better stop behind unless you want to become a hood ornament on a bus coming around the corner.

They're there for a reason, and not just to keep some bureaucrat happy.

But, yeah, if your are redlight camera experimenting, you had better stop behind the white line.

 

[Capt Steve]

If you do not run the light, you do not trigger the camera and you do NOT get a ticket. Folks, it is just that simple. If you run the light you are a jerk looking to kill someone. Try talking to the surviving friend or relative of a victim killed by such a jerk. You just might learn something. As for the cameras producing revenue...GOOD! All of the local communities need it and Ii can't think of a better place to get it than from self absorbed jerks who drive like idiots. Rant off (for now). (o;

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

'I am not sending the requested funds for the putative violation because the use of red light cameras is violative of my fourth amendment rights and Texas Law."

 

[The Shottist]

Here's the flip side...
As you've discovered, the red light cameras are actually tied in with radar, or some other form of speed detector. So, if it senses that you're going too fast to stop before the light turns red, it initiates the camera sequence.
So--- if you stop at the red light, but then drive slowly through it (when nobody is coming, of course!), it shouldn't activate the sequence. So much for the cameras deterring people from violating red lights! (I have not actually tested this theory, and do not recommend any of you do it, but from everything I know about the red light camera systems, they would not catch someone who stops at the red light but then proceeds through.)

You are completely wrong. I stopped at a red light. A couple seconds later, my foot slipped* off the brake and hit the gas pedal. I got the ticket a few days later.

*I had surgery on that foot because I had broken it. During the healing process, I had occasional muscle spasms. That's what caused my foot to come off the brake at that moment. Hasn't happened since.

 

[imashooter2]

I hate those things! I went recently on a trip to central Texas, and most small towns along the way had them. Probably a significant source of the city incomes.

I think they sometimes cause accidents, as someone races to beat the camera.

T-Star

More often when they slam on the brakes.

 

[Trooper224]

I've done it unintentionally before. But tonight I did it on purpose.

It must be pretty slow in your part of Texas. You tip cows too?

 

[rburg]

A couple of years ago some pranksters in England went on a commando mission. They dropped a couple of mechanical guys off then went and waited. The commando's stole (borrowed) the license plates from a police enforcement van parked along the roadside. Then they put the plates on their vehicle and blew through the speed trap and a few red light cameras. Then they returned the plates to the still parked van. You could do the same thing with the local police chief's car! But don't do it in Salina, KS... he's one of us!

Basically, I don't like the cameras, and I hate the red light runners. They deserve each other.
Friday coming home, I stopped at a red light. Its one of those interesections where two lanes turn right. Big sign up between the lights "No turn on Red". 5 cars turned right while I sat. Then the light turned so I went. The last of the 5 tried to cut over in front of me. He almost owned a jeep. I'd have hit the jerk.