Those who do oppose the cameras complain that the devices are just a way of generating revenue, and that while they do tag red-light runners, the main source of income is motorists who fail to come to a complete stop before turning right -- the so-called "California stop."
That contention gained some credibility last week, as California's Assembly Bill 909 -- awaiting action by the governor along with some 700 other bills -- would reduce fines for drivers who fail to make complete stops before turning right on red lights. Currently, the total fine, including county assessments, would drop from a whopping $450 to $219, according to an article in the Sacramento Bee. The League of California Cities opposes the bill, said the Bee, saying it could impair the use of red-light cameras by reducing citation revenue used to operate them.
California stops put pedestrians and bicyclists at risk, and red-light runners pose perhaps the most serious risk of serious injury or death. Technology such as red-light cameras can help, but $450 for "not quite stopping" on a right turn shows that there's more than safety at issue, and that does accelerate the arguments against cameras.
