Right Light Cameras in East Meadow: Debunking the 3-Second Rule

Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have installed a “Red Light Camera” program which they say is aimed at changing driver behavior by capturing drivers that run through red lights at busy intersections. 

The cameras take an instant photo of a vehicle when it passes through a red light and traces the owner of the vehicle through the license plate information. Owners whose cars have been photographed going through the red light receive a ticket with the photographic evidence in the mail.

But what is considered a violation? We asked our readers on Facebook: “You can get a ticket from a red light camera if you ___________”

The responses we got from readers were sometimes accurate, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes hilarious. Here are some samples:

Phyllis Ceravolo-Katz: Don't stop fully befor makeing a right hand turn.

Patricia McKeon Kutil: Stop and wait three seconds before making a right on red.

Karla Jean: Go through the light. lol.

Cammi Butner Clara: Drive!

Sander Dardzinski: Make a right on red when not allowed or don't wear your seatbelt.

Lisa Dellaccio: Stop after the stop line!

Becky Gillman Goldberg: Don't have a PBA card.

So...what’s the answer to our quiz? You can get a ticket from a red light camera if you:

• Enter the intersection and turn left after the light turns red

• Enter the intersection after the light has turned red and continue straight through

You will NOT be ticketed if you pass beneath a light that is green to make a left turn and while waiting for oncoming traffic to pass, the light turns red.

Ever get caught with a red light camera? Guilty as charged, or did it make you see red? Share your thoughts on our open blog “Road Rage.”

Sharing is easy.

Or, from the homepage, follow these steps:

- Sign in to your Patch. (Click “Join” if you don’t have an account yet.)

- Click the "Blogs" tab, near the top of the homepage and then locate the Road Rage blog in the left-hand column. Click on it.

- Click in the box that says, “Write a new post” and then click on “Article” at the top.

- Give your post a headline, enter the body of the story and upload your photos.

- Click “Post now.”