Are Red-light Cameras Unfair?

Fact; Monkeys can be trained to push a certain button to get food while they avoid the button that results in an electrical shock.

It's a basic tenet of animal, and human, behavior - If a certain behavior results in a reward; we are more likely to engage in said behavior than if it results in punishment (current prison population notwithstanding).

The monkey has no choice, if he pushes the wrong button - zap-ola.

Humans often have an intangible on their side...the odds of being caught.

Which brings me to today topic...Red Light Cameras.

Across the nation the debate is growing about the use of cameras to apprehend traffic violators.

In the pre-technology days, if you saw the light turn yellow, you did a quick scan for lurking police before stepping on the gas. If the guy behind you followed you through, you knew you were in the clear.

Not so much today. There doesn't need to be a police officer watching...because Big Brother always is.

Nobody likes getting nabbed for blowing through a red light (even if you could have sworn it was still yellow). Let's face it - most times, you had a legitimate reason for violating the law anyway - right?

There are currently hundreds of cities across the country employing red-light cameras at busy intersections. These municipalities often claim the key reason for the installation of cameras is safety, based on the theory that people are less likely to blast through a red light if they know they're being watched.

Makes sense to me. Just like the monkey knows not to push the red button, we are learning not to ignore red lights. If more people stop, there are less accidents.

Opponents of the issue claim that cities are using the red-light cameras strictly for revenue gain.

At first glance, the math appears to be simple; In any 24-hour period - every violator will be recorded and served with a fine (usually between $85 and $125) and the town does not pay a police officer to issue these fines.

It's like free money for the government.

Not so fast.

First of all, those red-light cameras cost thousands of dollars to install. Second, they cost thousands more for the company who installs them to monitor the footage and send any recorded violations to the city/town. Once the city gets it, they must review it and determine which violators will be served. The notices are sent out (postage is cheap, but when you send out hundreds of notices each week, it adds up.)

Next comes the fun part...the people who have been caught...on film...breaking the law, are given the right to appeal their transgression - which many of them do. This means the city must then hold hearings, and pay staff to sit and listen to an endless line of excuses.

Looking at it that way - the money doesn't seem so free.

Regardless of the economy, nobody wants to fork over $125 to the government - for any reason. So naturally, in these times of high unemployment and a really shaky economy, it's even worse. As a result, red-light cameras are being called illegal, unconstitutional and unfair.

More than one person has filed suit because of them and one lawyer in Florida has filed a class-action suit trying to have all money taken by the cameras returned.

This is where I get lost...

Let's go back to the monkey. The monkey learns, rather quickly, that pushing the green button is good, while pushing the red one is bad. So what does our primate friend do? He pushes the green button and stays away from the red one.

Brilliant!

Does he complain about the fairness of the test?

Nope.

Does he ask to be compensated for the suffering he endured after pushing the red button?

Nope.

What does he do?

He pushes the green button and gets food.

Whether you believe Darwin or not - you have to admit, the monkey seems to be one up on us humans.

How can I say that?

Look at the facts...

First, We are taught at an early age - going through a red light could cause an accident. Does it stop us?

Nope.

Second, We all know that going through any red light could result in a fine. Does it stop us?

Nope.

Third, We also know that many intersections are monitored by rd-light cameras. Does that stop us?

Nope.

Then, in perhaps the biggest insult to the monkey - after we've knowingly violated the law (face it - you knew you were doing it) and after we've seen the footage...we have the nerve to complain that it isn't fair - and ask for our money back.

It reminds me of the old joke..."A guy goes into a doctor's office, says 'Doctor, it hurts when I do this.' Doctor looks at the guy and says 'Don't do that.'"

It isn't rocket science. If you don't go through the red light, the presence of cameras is a moot point.

If one of these red-light cameras filmed the abduction of a seven-year-old girl and eventually led to her rescue, I don't think anybody would debate their fairness, with the possible exception of the scumbag abductor and his attorney.

So if they're okay for catching some criminals, why aren't they okay for catching others?

Bottom line - stop at the red light and you won't get a ticket...it's so simple a monkey could do it.