Nonoffenders protest, too

Robyn Benjamin tersely denounces those who have complained so loudly about Spokane’s red light cameras as reckless drivers caught on camera and bitter about having to pay the fine (Letters, Jan. 22). I’ve not earned a single traffic ticket in my life, and I complain quite loudly about the cameras myself.

Some studies (see Florida Public Health Review, March 2008, et al.) suggest red light cameras sharply increase rear-endings at traffic lights when people moving at 35 mph slam on the brakes while lacking enough space to safely stop, all to avoid receiving a $200 picture of themselves in the mail. A few of the same studies suggest cities can reduce the running of red lights by simply lengthening the interval of yellow lights a bit, achieving results on par with those of red light cameras and doing away with the cameras’ unwelcome boost to other dangerous behaviors.

Sometimes people other than reckless drivers disagree with traffic enforcement techniques. This particular tactic and its many drawbacks should concern even the most cautious driver. Red light cameras merely trade T-bones for rear-ends while a more intelligent policy could reduce all kinds of accidents on Spokane roadways.

Steve Nicolaysen

Spokane