Red-Light Cameras

Assemblyman O'Scanlon is 100% correct that yellow traffic lights should be set so they give drivers enough time to get through intersections safely.

In addition, red light cameras should be inspected and repaired regularly so they don't nail those who are not disobeying the law.

However, the cameras are not the villains.. Motorists who blatantly--or absentmindedly--go through red lights putting others in danger are the villains. If you want the privilege of driving you should have your attention completely on the road at all times. If you just fought with your spouse or yelled at your kids you should cool down before you get behind the wheel.

The assemblyman also seems to be saying that if we can't stop all red light violators we shouldn't try to stop any of them. Saying we should not attempt to stop red light violators because we can't stop all of them is like saying we shouldn't prohibit other violations or crimes because we can't stop all of them.

The best solution would be to hire more traffic police, but our localities don't have the money for that, so the cameras are the next best thing.

I also have no problem with fines from violators of red lights and those who violate other traffic laws paying to restore services cut in our towns. Perhaps if my township of Springfield had more money if would be able to take us back to twice-a-week garbage pickup rather than forcing us to store smelly garbage that is picked up only one day a week. Also, perhaps it would enable the town to once again pick up my yard waste rather than forcing me to drive it to the town yard or compost it. It also would allow my town to do many other things that would improve the lives of its residents--instead of allowing traffic violators to put their lives in danger.

The bottom line, however, is safety first--if you don't want to pay the fine then don't do the crime.

Bob Faszczewski

Springfield