Red-light cameras make $$$

[WRT]

Folks, this proposal is NOTHING to do with catching red light runners. It is solely about being able to send you a bill for using certain roads. Road tolling.

Sure, the proposal might have nothing to do with red light runners, but this thread has everything to do with them! Check the title!

I think JimBob was a bit confused on the matter at the start, but the rest of us have stuck to the threads topic quite well, and in fact even talking about toll roads is now positively off topic!

[sunhuntin]

Hell yes, about time something is done about this problem. And they should chuck some demerit points after the offense of running the red light as well - about 50 of them would be suitable!

I am tempted to have someone buy me a new rear bumper for my car... So unless I'm in a hurry I'll brake for yellow when I can!



See now we're talking. The number of unregistered vehicles on the roads in NZ is a big problem as well. If you don't agree think about who's likely to do a hit'n'run and who's likely to do a hit and stay?
Besides, I think it's fair to expect people to keep their vehicles in a decent condition - and no rego without WOF goes some way to ensure this.

agreed on that... the number of vehicles that come in with rego/wof well out of date is amazing... seen one bus come in with a rego of 2003. ok, the bus looked like it just got driven out of a swamp, but still.

and yeh, im getting into the habit of waiting at greens... never seen anyone run a red here, but its bound to happen.

[Trouser]

I'm very glad I got off that sinking ship and moved to Marton. Best thing I did, ever.

If this sort of shit is really starting to get you down, leave Auckland. It's a bit like giving up smoking in that it really hurts for a while and takes a few years to get over but it is worth it.

Glosing the grafton bridge for 12 hours a day so a few buses can get to newmarket is a bit silly really. Not to mention the $70million cost. Golly.

[JimBob]

Sure, the proposal might have nothing to do with red light runners, but this thread has everything to do with them! Check the title!

I think JimBob was a bit confused on the matter at the start, but the rest of us have stuck to the threads topic quite well, and in fact even talking about toll roads is now positively off topic!

I wasnt confused, I am anti red light runners as much as the next person.
The point is they will extend the use the equipment for toll collecting.
And it wont be long before red light runners take a back seat to toll collection.
Bit like speed cameras.
Double edged sword

[vifferman]

Glosing the grafton bridge for 12 hours a day so a few buses can get to newmarket is a bit silly really. Not to mention the $70million cost. Golly.

It's no sillier than the expensive busway they built: most of the time it's unused (apart from "rush" hour )

[Dave Lobster]

The point is they will extend the use the equipment for toll collecting.
And it wont be long before red light runners take a back seat to toll collection.
Bit like speed cameras.
Double edged sword

Widespread speed cameras is a double edged sword. On the up side.. they replace real policemen. Which means (so long as you know where the cameras are) you don't have to obey any speed limits at all. On the other hand, nobody ever gets prosecuted for dangerous driving. This is what has happened in other countries that have introduced the revenue cameras.

[Trouser]

It's no sillier than the expensive busway they built: most of the time it's unused (apart from "rush" hour )

Thats a personal favourite that one.

[Timber020]

Red light cameras should be put in, I dont like big brother crap, but they will save some innocent people alot of pain, and they will hurt a few arseholes.

[Robbo]

Yep! Red Light cameras get my tick of approval as this is a serious safety for all us bike riders. I still fail to see any benefits from speed cameras other than to boost the Governments coffers.

[The Pastor]

A toll on non-highways in NZ. Great what next some kind of road tax included in our petrol? wait hang on.....

we can get double tax on our petrol to cover the loss in earnings from not having tolls...... hell might as well increase the rego on motorbikes because um.... um.. they are big bad and dangerous.

[MaxB]

After almost being wiped out by a redlight runner taxi driver I'm all for red light cameras but..........

Congestion charges hurt people in the zone. I read somewhere that businesses lose 15% of their takings on average. In Europe some councils compensate businesses for their loss. Also some zones are bike friendly and bikes are exempt form those charges. With extra bike parking free of charge. Public transport is upgraded to world class standards.

Can you see any of that happening in Auckland? Yeah right. It still costs me less to drive a V8 or big V6 into town than it does to take the bus or train and in 1/3 of the time.

[Eddieb]

I think this is what JimBob is referring to:
One of these cameras is already at the end of the Grafton bridge, on the Symonds St end. However, as it's looking up Symonds St, I don't see how they could use it to recognise the plates of vehicles entering the bridge, as traffic coming from K'Rd would be side on to the camera and the plates would be very difficult to read from there.

There will be another camera facing the other way somewhere you haven't spotted.

I used to have shares in the company providing the cameras, they are very good. Overseas they have shown a significant reduction in redlight runners over time and are normally operated on a revenue sharing agreement with the manufacturer so the cost of entry and ongoing for the councils is far lower than would otherwise be. A several year pilot agreement is normally signed with a 2 or 5 year right of renewal for the council

The pictures they produce are good, you can't deny it wasn't you driving and the proof you ran the light is complete, before and after shots with times etc.

[Boob Johnson]

Having lived in Auckland for over a decade I whole heartedly support red light camera's. It is a well known fact by everyone I knew there that you never just "go" when the light turns green, you always check because so many run reds in Jafaland.


Charging to use certain roads? Geez folks get with the times, open your eyes & take a look outside. London has a toll (bout 5 punds I believe) to drive in to the city beyond a certain limit, as do MANY other cities. It's about time Aucklanders wised up & got out of their cars. So many crap on about how bad the traffic is yet wouldn't for a second consider using public transport. No doubt there will be many of the same people crying about tolls...............HELLO!!!!

[Jiminy]

I vaguely recall that Singapore and London successfully reduced vehicle traffic thanks to their tolls. Removing street parking in town is another very effective measure against traffic congestion.

Now I understand that those two measures are fairly unpopular. But don't we all hate rush hour traffic?

Of course, this only really works if you have some alternatives, e.g. a proper public transportation system.

[Dave Lobster]

Introducing the charging in London has made Livingstone really popular.