Red Light Cameras in Wantagh-Seaford: Too-Busy-to-Stop Convenience Fees?

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:

Diane Stephan: ...run a red light?

Lora Grigonis: They aren't tickets. Since they can't identify the driver they are just fees. I call them "too busy to stop" convenience fees.

Matthew Walpole: are stupid and don't see the camera on the pole before barreling through the red light.

Rich Ross: Stop at the red light apparently.

Megan Miata: Don't come to a complete stop when making a right on red.

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

• Make a right on red, but fail to make a complete stop before proceeding

• Blatantly ignore the red light and pass through it.

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.

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

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- 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.”