One of a series

Why the fuss? Andy Weissman wonders.

“I never have felt that red-light cameras at intersections were unfair,” says the former City Councilman who served as a traffic court judge pro-tem during the early days of the camera.

“I understand that people who get a ticket may not appreciate what is going on.”

In the old days, at the turn of the century when cameras were regarded as new-fangled gimmicks, the irrefutable evidence was in still pictures. Now it is in the moment, on video.

This is no he-said/she-said scenario. The evidence is not in dispute, at least to authorities.
“The technology is such,” says Mr. Weissman, “that you see the position of the car in relation to the yellow light.

“Ultimately, you see the car in relation to the red light.”

The slightly good news, Mr. Weissman says, is that “not every driver who triggers the camera receives a citation.”

He explained that a police officer reviews all films and makes the call whether a violation has been committed, warranting punishment.

“In every case where a citation is issued,” Mr. Weissman said, “you can see the violation.”

For an uncomplicated reason, he is not sympathetic to complainers. “They are not abiding by the traffic rules,” says the ex-Councilman.

“All they have to do is slow down.”

(To be continued)