Washington I-5 Traffic Camera Warning

[vicsryd]

Received the email below this morning and wanted to pass on the info for anyone traveling the I-5 corridor in Washington:

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Subject: I-5 speed system

Subject: New Speeding Camera's on I-5

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up.

The Traffic Safety Coordinator in my office has been informed from law enforcement that they will be installing camera's on I-5 in the construction zone between Chehalis and Napavine. These camera's will take pictures of all vehicles speeding. These pictures will be processed and tickets will be issued to all offenders. Tickets will arrive in the mail about two weeks after you have been caught on film.

This has not, and will not, be announced to the public so please pass on the word.

April Kelley
Lewis County Social Services
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[vicsryd]

Received the email below this morning and wanted to pass on the info for anyone traveling the I-5 corridor in Washington:

+++++++++++++
Subject: I-5 speed system

Subject: New Speeding Camera's on I-5

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up.

The Traffic Safety Coordinator in my office has been informed from law enforcement that they will be installing camera's on I-5 in the construction zone between Chehalis and Napavine. These camera's will take pictures of all vehicles speeding. These pictures will be processed and tickets will be issued to all offenders. Tickets will arrive in the mail about two weeks after you have been caught on film.

This has not, and will not, be announced to the public so please pass on the word.

April Kelley
Lewis County Social Services
++++++++++++++

[MaverickBBD]

Thanks for the heads up. I bet if this works it won't be too long before they are installed on the stretch from Marysville to Arlington and who knows where else. Looking at the trend with red light cameras I figured it was only a matter of time. Personally I think it is a good thing.

[TXiceman]

Houston has installed numerous red-light cameras to slow down the read-light runners and there has been a lot of noise made about big brother watching. But the purpose is to make people obey the law. In order to avoid a ticket, you do not run red light and in case simply slow down and do not speed.

It was reported here last month that the number of tickers being issued at the monitored intersections has dropped drastically. Police department was really pleased as they were not installed for the revenue, but to make it safer to drive. There are list published which show the monitored intersections and new ones that are added. I do not agree with announcing the locations as this tells people where they have to obey the law and they can do as they please everywhere else.

Ken

[Submustang]

I'm not a lawyer, but as I recall from high school civics, you have the right to face your accuser. There are also laws prohibiting entrapment. It would seem that where cameras are involved they have an obligation to post warnings. Thanks again Christine G.

[450Donn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Submustang:
I'm not a lawyer, but as I recall from high school civics, you have the right to face your accuser. There are also laws prohibiting entrapment. It would seem that where cameras are involved they have an obligation to post warnings. Thanks again Christine G. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

They have, they are called 50MPH speed signs and most people including trucks cruise through this work zone at 60+

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Submustang:
I'm not a lawyer, but as I recall from high school civics, you have the right to face your accuser. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here in the Houston area, they get around that by classifying red light camera violations as civil offenses. Having said that, your vehicle won't get its annual registration sticker if you don't pay the fine.

Rusty

[TXiceman]

There is a really simple solution...do not run the red lights and do not speed....no ticket. It seems to have become a totally foreign concept to obey the law...just find someone to blame when you do not.

Ken

[MtManLee]

They tried the camera thing in Utah and there were so many crying whining babies that it was discontinued. Many claimed they were not the drivers and that it was not their cars even with license plate showing. Unless the picture was pure from more than one angle they screamed and whined and cried. Sadly the US is becoming some of the biggest babies on the planet. And its always those who break the laws that cry and complain and get away with it the most.

[Ron2]

It's real simple, posted speed limit signs are the MAXIMUM allowable speed, NOT the MINIMUM allowable speed! Red light means STOP! This isn't rocket science, it's the law. Hopefully you will never lose a loved one to a speeder running a red light, it will change your whole attitude on the subject.

[vicsryd]

Another speed camera area to watch out for is along Loop 101 in the Scottsdale, AZ area.

[DevonJH]

I know this ones an oldie. But watching all the responses has anyone watched how many times the camera's have gone off when people hadn't run a red light?

I watched as people filmed one intersection for a few hours and every 2nd or 3rd light it would take pictures even if noone was in the intersection. It only makes you wonder whether or not the speed trap cameras would have the same problem, radar gets a little off you get a ticket and its your word against theres as to whether or not you were actually speeding.

[greggholmes]

They have to notify the public. It has to be clearly posted. It wont be long before they put cameras in your home to make sure you are not breaking any laws.

If you aren't breaking the law why should you worry.
It's for your safety.
Terrorists dont want cameras in you home.

[GPW]

Well as it worked out here , the city was only getting a small percentage of the fines , the rest was going to the traffic camera company in Arizona... and of course they were donating huge sums back to the politicians who had the cameras installed ... Just more chance for graft and corruption... The Feds are still investigating that ...
A study was done by the Mayor of Jackson MS... Stated that the Best way to keep people from running red lights was to time them so the lights were Red in both directions for a short interval ... Here they re-timed the lights so the caution light was a shorter interval , going from 5 seconds to 2 seconds ... sure to ensnare the unwary or people actually going the speed limit ... And since the number of tickets has declined , they wisely chose to put up even More cameras..

Just remember , behind every traffic camera is a private corporation raking in Huge Profits and corrupting our politicians ...
The idea is idealistically a good one , but in application , many cash strapped cities , have become dependent on the money they make , despite what they say " That's it's only for public safety "...

Guessing next cameras will be in the bedrooms , just to make sure we're not doing anything we shouldn't be ... Then bar codes on our forearms so we can be easily identified , then logically the microchip in our foreheads to keep us from thinking as individuals ... When does it stop ???

Anybody re-read Orwell lately ??? Sound familiar ???