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Los Angeles County, CA April 13, 2010 Election
Smart Voter

Red Light Camera Ticket Ripoffs

By Robert Zirgulis

Candidate for Member, City Council; City of Culver City

This information is provided by the candidate
Red Light Camera Ticket Ripoffs
Stop the red-light camera ticket ripoff!

PROTEST: EVERY MONDAY & FRIDAY 4:30-6:00 PM INTERSECTION OF JEFFERSON & OVERLAND CULVER CITY

  • RED LIGHT CAMERAS FLEECE DRIVERS!

A red light camera ticket can cost a driver up to $500 in fines and traffic school. This can be a substantial burden to anyone. This disproportionately hurts working class stiffs whose cars might not even be worth $500!

  • RED LIGHT CAMERAS CAUSE ACCIDENTS!

Some studies show that red light cameras cause accidents. Costa Mesa reported a 13% increase in total collisions and a 20% increase in rear-end collisions after cameras were installed. In 2008 , a University of South Florida study found the same. "Red light cameras don't work," says USF Professor Barbara Langland-Orban. "They increase crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop at camera intersections after spotting cameras".

  • RED LIGHT CAMERAS ENRICH THE CAMERA COMPANY, NOT THE CITY!

Money supposedly collected from red light camera enforcement has been co-mingled with the general vehicle code fines to hide the fact that the city has not been making any money from the red light camera traps.

In addition, REDFLEX, the company that installs and operates the red light cameras is paid by the city $1 million to $1.5 million each year for this service.

Gred Smith, a retired Culver City police lieutenant, corroborates what I have been told. He has stated, "What the citizens of Culver City do not realize is that their red light cameras were some of the first in the state.

"When this proposition was presented to the previous City Council, it was pitched as a great source of revenue. As a member of the community, you would think, hey! We can use the extra revenue to fund the parks or hire more police and fire personnel.

"Well, they put one over on you there.,

"You see, they did not explain to you who benefits from these ticket revenues of approximately $2.8 million each year for the past 8 years.

"First, the state of California and the Los Angeles County courts take between $700,000 and $800,000 each year. Next the company that installs and operates the red light cameras is paid by the city $1 million to $1.5 million each year for this service.

"The city then pays between $400,000 and $500,000 a year in personnel costs to run the program".

The result is that the red light camera program fleeces drivers, generates revenues for bureaucrats and fat cats, and leaves nothing for the citizens of Culver City.

Please circulate the following Petition against Red Light Camera Ticket Ripoffs;

PETITON TO STOP
THE RED LIGHT CAMERA
TICKET RIPOFF!

Whereas red light camera tickets can cost a driver up to $500 and disproportionately hurts poor working class stiffs.

Whereas studies show that red light cameras cause the increase of crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop at camera intersections.

Whereas red light cameras enrich the camera company and not the city.

Therefore be it resolved that we urge the city to circumvent the state vehicle code and enact ordinances where red light tickets will be issued and processed at much lower rates. In addition, we urge the city to replace the red light cameras with alternative safety equipment that works!

NAME E-MAIL PHONE

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