Weighing in: A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news

The installation of additional red light cameras, which are scheduled to be activated today in Spokane, drew spirited debate among readers, and while nearly everyone agreed the cameras are more about money than safety, the comments still fell into two distinct camps: those who support the project anyway and those who want it shut down. Find complete coverage of the controversial red light program and the full reader debate at www.spokesman.com.

PlanB: Great. The existing cameras have done nothing to improve safety, so let’s add more.

Cowboy: More money for the company in Arizona. Hard to believe someone in Washington doesn’t have a camera company.

Will Ski Forbeer: Pretty soon they will shorten the yellow light intervals when the cameras aren’t paying for themselves.

Albert: Sorry good friends, but I must disagree. This is a great money generator – that’s true. However, as I drive around town I see “mommy on the cell phone” blatantly driving through the red light in her over-sized SUV and/or van with the kiddies in the back seats. I also see “junior” in his lowered noise bag doing the same. These folks need to slow down, pay attention, and I truly believe that these red light cameras are a great way to get their attention.

Teseract: Considering the Spokesman-Review’s own review of these cameras, I think this proves this is about the money not about public safety. More than one study has shown these caused more overall accidents than they prevent. One state has already banned these cameras completely.

Irun: Its sole purpose is to create safer intersections on some of the more major arterials in Spokane. I run and bike a lot in Spokane and have been hit or nearly hit a few times by people running red lights. I for one am in full support of the red lights since in my opinion it helps deter people from blasting through a red light. If you don’t like the fines then don’t run a red light.

William Mahaney: I would rather be rear-ended (and have been) stopping for a yellow light, than be broadsided when I start off on green and someone runs the red (that also happened to me but the individual ran a stop sign instead of a red light). To me, that is the safety issue – not the number of accidents, but the severity of accidents.

Verbal: The vast majority of the “red light runners” they’ve caught are people taking “rolling rights” – not too many accidents caused by those. Against the law? Yup. Is that worth $125 fine? Nope.