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Why Should We Have Red Light Cameras

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Why Should We Have Red Light Cameras
There have been major accidents throughout the United States that have produced over 100,000 crashes and roughly 1,000 deaths in the past. In 1979 Ken Fishel was at the intersection of 436 and highway 50 when a woman ran a red light causing him to T-Bone the passenger side of her vehicle. Ken ended up with serious injuries consisting of whip lash and a mild concussion to the head. While the women escaped the accident with minor injuries this could been easily prevented (interview). To combat this problem the United States has placed Red light cameras at certain intersections across the states. Safety should always be the top priority on the road, and one way of limiting car accidents is for everyone to make sure they always stop at a red light. Since these cameras have been in place accidents and death tolls have decreased tremendously. The government should continue the use of red light cameras at intersections throughout the United States.
Getting a citation in the mail is more beneficial than getting a ticket from a Law Enforcement Officer. According to Aaron D. Delgado, when a citation is issued, “No one is notified at the police department. No traffic citation is issued. No points on your license. No risk that your insurance company raises your rates” (web). These citations are less expensive than receiving a ticket from a Law Enforcement Officer for running a red light. Another reason these cameras are beneficial for individuals is because these citations will never be put on his/her driving record. If you receive a citation from a red light camera the citation comes with no points on your record, compared to receiving a ticket from a Law Enforcement Officer which gives you four points on your driving record. On the other hand a citation in Florida will only cost you $ 158.00, versus a ticket which will cost $ 262.00.

Red light cameras were first placed in certain states by a manufacturing company affiliated in the state of New York. Therefore once a



Cited: Delgado, Aaron. "Red-light cameras signal debate." Orlando Sentinel [Orlando] 20 Mar 2012, A24. Print. Fishel, Ken. Telephone Interview. 03 Apr 2012. Hasley, Ashley. "Red Light Cameras Saves Lives ." WashingtonPost.com . Washington Post, 2011. Web. 5 Apr 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com /dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020100021.html>. Hill, F.. "Murrietas red light cameras will boost charities ." The Press Enterprise . The Press Enterprise, 2011. Web. 5 Apr 2012.< http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/murrieta/murrieta-headlines-index/20110131-murrietas-red-light-cameras-will-boost-charities.ece>.

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