- November 19, 2024
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Citations at right-hand turn into hospital don’t make sense
Dear Editor:
One week after I picked up my husband from the hospital, I received two letters in the mail. One was a letter asking me what I thought of the care he received during his stay, which was excellent. The next letter was a ticket for $158, because I didn't wait long enough when the light turned red before making the turn from the right-hand turning lane. When I went to pay for the ticket, I was told that stepping on the brakes twice with no traffic visible from either side of the highway was insufficient.
I noticed in the newspaper some time ago that more tickets have been given at that intersection than from any other intersection. When I spoke to nurses and even doctors, many of them mentioned that they have received tickets, as well, including a stiff late fee when they received the summons in the mail while they were away and were unable to pay on time.
More dangerous, in my opinion, is the right-hand lane turn, from Interstate-95 south onto State Road 100, going toward the hospital. It only has a yield signal. There is no traffic light as you enter 100. Drivers traveling to the hospital or going to the Town Center must constantly keep a watchful eye for drivers who are coming from the opposite side of the interstate under the bridge in order to get unto 100.
I suggest that frequent drivers put pressure on Palm Coast officials to rectify this problem. I also suggest that residents keep on writing letters to the editor. I did read that there is a bill that was approved to reduce the cost of light camera tickets to $83. That, in itself, is a step in the right direction.
Claire Soria
Palm Coast
Red light cameras are for making money; let’s put it to a vote
Dear Editor:
It seems that this issue of red light cameras has really stirred intense debate between both proponents and those quite adamantly opposed. First, we need to recognize that red light cameras from the start of the day to the end of the day are just that — cameras. They neither prevent nor are they the cause of accidents. No one has ever heard of a camera jumping out into an intersection to either cause or prevent any accident from occurring.
Red light cameras are first and foremost revenue-producers, and this is the biggest selling point whenever any municipality considers having them installed.
Take a look at all those entities that line up to carve up the revenue pie: state of Florida, the city of Palm Coast and, of course, the for-profit companies that install and maintain the camera systems.
In fact, in some municipalities, the timing of the yellow caution signal was actually shortened to increase the issuance of citations. So much for safety concerns, which are often used to sell the system to the public. Is anybody actually safer because of their installation? As soon as these systems can no longer pay for themselves, they are soon removed as they have been in many cities across the country. I guess, at that point, safety is no longer an issue for keeping the system.
In addition, in order to maximize revenue, the cost of a citation is set rather high, and, to further discourage anyone from fighting the citation and clogging up the court system, the cost is quickly escalated to a punitive level notwithstanding the recently proposed cut in citation cost.
In my opinion, the best way to resolve the issue is through a well-known democratic process called a referendum. Let’s put this to the citizens of Palm Coast and have them vote to either keep or be rid of the red light camera system. Democracy in action is a beautiful sight to behold. Let us put our elected officials to task to ensure that they align their interests along with their constituents.
Jose Vasquez
Palm Coast
It’s time to get rid of the red light cameras
Dear Editor:
It is time for the mayor and City Council to get rid of the controversial red light cameras.
I've attended meetings and directly asked if the city had ever done safety surveys on the intersections where the cameras were placed and all I got was a canned reply of "research has shown blah, blah, blah.” They never give a direct answer. Why don't they just answer, "No. We haven't done any safety surveys”?
It really comes down to money collected, and I just don't believe them when they deny it. And there is a type of extortion when you are told the fine will more than double if you try to appeal the ticket. I think this is highly illegal.
I have not received a ticket — yet — but I am sure that day will eventually come.
Thirteen states have already outlawed the red light cameras, and there are more that are considering it. Several cities have tried using them and, in ever-increasing numbers, are having them removed.
When will the Palm Coast City Council realize that they made a mistake? Will it take a referendum? Or will it take a removal from office to achieve what the majority of the residents have voiced?
Richard Schaefer
Palm Coast
Lower the speed limit so we old coots won’t run red lights
Dear Editor:
You whiners crack me up.
Who cares if the ticket comes from a camera or from a policeman? A ticket is a ticket is a ticket.
As for the idea that studies show that red light cameras don't cut down on accidents, consider the case of Tacoma, Wash.: As published recently in the Tacoma News-Tribune, a study of seven accident-prone intersections showed a five-year decline of 20% to 55% in the number of accidents, where cameras had been installed. Every one of these intersections showed declines. Go on line — you'll find dozens of similar studies. I would like to know Mr. Campion's source for the studies saying these lights create more accidents.
As for making yellow-light timing longer, I have a better idea to avoid discrimination against seniors: lower the speed limit 10mph! That way, we old coots will have a really long time to get our feet on the brakes.
Mr. Campion states that seniors are too often forced to decide between medicine and food. Here's a flash: don't run the lights, don't break the law, don't get a ticket, and have money for food and for medicine. And as for the comment that the city is simply blaming the problem on the drivers, well, I'm pretty sure the drivers are the ones running the red lights.
Terry Thorndyke
Palm Coast
