- November 23, 2024
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+ Red light cameras should be put to vote
Dear Editor:
In light of the ongoing debate about red light cameras in the pages of the Palm Coast Observer, isn’t it time to put the controversy up to a vote by the citizens? Isn’t it time that the citizens of Palm Coast rein in the actions of our Palm Coast City Council?
Let the people speak in the next general election by voting either “yes” or “no” on the red light cameras, as was done in the recent special election for the Flagler County School Board’s tax referendum. It is time for the citizens to speak up.
Richard Schaefer
Palm Coast
+ Number of red light citations issued is problematic
Dear Editor:
I wish to add my name to the list of those seething with resentment at the shakedown of law-abiding citizens who are at the mercy of those who dreamed up “traffic solutions”: red light cameras!
I just received a fine through the mail of $158, a huge sum of money for someone on a fixed income, who would never dream of driving carelessly, much less of running a red light. I was alarmed at learning that every person I spoke to at a local beauty salon had also received a fine for the very same offense.
No one that I spoke to impressed me as being a deliberate cowboy on the road. Something is very wrong in Palm Coast. These exorbitant fines are no different than protection money paid to the mob. Revenue enhancing indeed! It leaves one sickened and disgusted with the powers that be in our city.
Charlotte Venetianer
Palm Coast
+ Time to write to politicians to eliminate red light cameras
Dear Editor:
Are the powers that be in this city (I won’t name names) still so ignorant that they haven’t gotten it yet? The residents of Palm Coast have spoken: We do not want red light cameras infringing on our rights as citizens any longer.
More than 3,000 snapshots are taken of us per week, and yet only a few hundred drivers are actually breaking the law. Why are they taking pictures of the rest of us?
I agree with the letter writer who said many people (myself included) cannot afford to pay those fees if cited. But the way it is now, if we don’t, they will suspend our driver’s licenses. A camera is going to take away our right to drive a car! It is the good drivers who are being targeted, not the bad. The bad drivers will continue to speed, text, drive recklessly and drive while impaired — and no camera on earth will stop them.
Residents of Palm Coast, please call or write or email Sen. Jeff Brandes at 727-552-2745 or 3637 4th Street N., Suite 101, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33704 and State Rep. Travis Hutson at 446-7644 or 4875 Palm Coast Parkway N.W., in Palm Coast.
You can email them by going to their websites. I have spoken with the administrative offices for both men, and they said the more feedback, the more petitions, the more emails, the more letters they get from us, the better chance they have of getting a bill passed to ban red light cameras once and for all. So far, they haven’t even been able to get a bill heard. Apparently, although it’s pretty evident we want these monstrosities off our streets, not enough people have been petitioning against them.
Charlotte Smith
Palm Coast
+ Cameras prompt drivers to speed up to intersections
Dear Editor:
I sort of agree with red light cameras as a way to catch those violators that refuse to obey this law, but it is a shame that those of us who obey should be punished for those handful of people that do not. I think that a first offender should be given a warning. The fine generated by the cameras of $158 is a lot to pay for most of us.
With that being said, here is one more view regarding red light cameras about something I find myself doing, and I notice other drivers doing the same.
As I approach an intersection and the light is green, my eye is on that light wondering when it will change to yellow. I know that once it turns yellow, I only have about 4 seconds before it turns red.
When I’m approximately 7 or 8 car lengths away from the light with my eyes focused on the green light and the fright of not making it, to avoid slamming on the brakes, I often speed up. I neglect to look left or right for someone crossing on a bicycle, perhaps.
It has happened to me a few times that a person on a bike did not stop at the walk signal and tried to cross.
These red light cameras are putting a lot of pressure on all of us. The cameras may stop accidents, but it will some day be the cause of one or several. I have lived in Palm Coast for 16 years. I may be wrong, but don’t remember reading about any major accident due to red light runners. These cameras were invented by camera companies as a way to make money. Of course, the cities and states would not allow them if there was no money to be made. And, of course, who pays for all of this? We do.
James L. Motta
Palm Coast
