L.A. Red Light Cameras Get the Boot

Good:

The civilian board that oversees the Los Angeles Police Department has put the brakes on the city’s red-light traffic camera program.

The Police Commission agreed Tuesday to reject a proposal from police officials to award a new contract to the company that has been operating the cameras.

An audit last year questioned the effectiveness of the program, finding that a majority of citations have gone uncollected. Commissioner Alan Skobin says that since the courts don’t pursue drivers who refuse to pay the tickets, the camera program lacks enforcement power.

The board’s decision could shut down the cameras in days unless the City Council decides to strip the commission of its authority on the issue and decide whether to continue the program.

The problems for red light cameras go back to 2009 when CBS2/KCAL9 Investigative Reporter David Goldstein found there is no evidence the cameras reduced accidents, deaths or injuries at the intersections where they were placed and in fact, found those numbers actually increased at some intersections.

I've long felt that red light cameras are unconstitutional. A person accused of a crime has the right to confront their accuser in court, but how do you confront a red light camera? Even if the violations are reviewed by an officer, that officer did not personally witness the violation in real time and I think that poses serious constitutional questions.

I also heard in a TV report on this same issue that the courts will not pursue violators for tickets that have not been signed by the accused. In other words, since you did not sign a promise to appear, the courts really can't go after you if you refuse to cooperate. You can't be held in contempt for failure to appear. Therefore, red light tickets are basically unenforceable and the cops and the cities are simply hoping you'll be intimidated by the citation to pay the fine.

Not me. I've never gotten one, but I can tell you that if I ever do I'll just tear it up and ignore it.