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Chesterfield city leaders considering red-light cameras

POLL: Are red light cameras a good idea?

(KMOV) - More and more cities are adding them and workers are now installing red light cameras at 10 new intersections around St. Louis City, including near Hampton and Wilson, south of Interstate 44.

City officials say the cameras will improve safety and potentially save lives.

Many drivers we spoke with say they are a good idea.

The 10 sites being targeted in the city of St. Louis include:

4 sites on Kingshighway,

2 on Hampton

1 at Walnut and Memorial downtown

Also cameras are going up on three intersections of Clayton Road along the Clayton - Richmond Heights border.

Cameras also were turned on last week in St. Peters and tickets will start being issued next month.

I think it's just another example of Big Brother and the loss of personal liberty in the U.S. They don't know who is driving the vehicle from many of the pictures. With OnStar and the vehicles on-board computers, how long is it before they start coordinating your vehicle speed and the road you are driving on and then just sending you a speeding ticket in the mail?

While I generally support the use of the red light cameras, as I have been struck by a car that ran a red light - when I was the second car through on my light. And the car that hit me ran a second red light to get away, leaving me with the bill for repairs.
I have to ask - have you considered doing an investigation into how many other duplicate sets of plates have been issued by the Illinois, and/or the Missouri DMV? I was stunned to read that they would issue a vanity plate under both the standard plate format and a disabled pate format. And even more stunned that the two plates were not issued to the same person. This was a $90 ticket. What if the plate was recorded leaving the scene of a robbery or homicide? I think this would merit a look, as if there are more cases of the duplicates, it speaks to a much deeper problem that needs to be resolved.

This practice should be outlawed in ALL States.Period.

To the individual who posted the comment about the booster seats for 8 year olds. Does this really erk you that bad? That law is in effect for the safety of your child. Have you seen what the effects could be on a small child who weighs under the weight limit of a regular adult shoulder/lap belt. In most side impact accidents it is fatal. I don't know about you, but the 75.00 booster seat is worth my sons life!

I think the cops need more time for doughnuts.

what about all the fender benders when someone slams on the brakes for a yellow light? I saw an elderly woman slam on her brakes at the intersection of Hampton and Chippewa when the light was yellow. the man behind her almost hit her.

seems the only people complaining about them are the ones who run the red lights because their time is too precious to stop for something as silly as a red light......

I hate these things. Cops around here are full of it. Especially in the north area. I dont believe non of this. There are a lot of crocked po-po's out here. Instead of them trying to get crackheads and get the real criminals, they're out at the Krispy Kreme. Is that the reason why these cameras are being installed? I guess us tax payers are paying our hard earned money for them to let technology do their job. Its a shame to see this. But they will reep what they sew!

poo poo

I hate them! People are slamming on their brakes as soon as the light turns yellow when they could have made it through easily. I've seen two drivers ticketed when they were stranded in an intersection, due to a sudden stop in front of them, while the light turned yellow, then red... totally not their fault! Of course I know that this is all about money. Why should the city of St. Louis hire more cops to fight the real crime when they can cash in on people comitting traffic misdemeanors?

They recently put up red-light cameras at Hampton and Wilson. At the same time, they really messed up the timing of the lights at Hampton and 44 which causes MAJOR problems and backups on Hampton. Eastbound Wilson is only given the chance to get about 3 cars through and we end up waiting through several lights just to get through. Since the red-light cameras have gone up, I have seen emergency vehicles in non-emergency times, St Louis public school busses and numerous other vehicles trying to get through instead of having to wait for one more light and that causes a bigger problem for those of us coming from Eastbound Wilson. Westbound Wilson also needs a no right turn sign when Eastbound Wilson has a light because if they're turning right onto Hampton we can't get through at all. It's taking me an average of 8 minutes to get to Eastbound 44.

I'm probably guilty of going thru yellow lights on occasion, but never red lights. There's no reason to go thru a red light, but it's done enough that something needs to be tried to stop it. I take my grandchildren in my truck, and my wife won't buy another automobile. People aren't going thru as the light turns red, it's well after it turns red.

How can they prove who was driving the car?

It's laziness, an amazing way to generate money for the companies who are contracted to run the cameras and not a reliable waay to ticket a driver, but to ticket a car. If I get a ticket, I want it handed to me in a fair and respectful manner, NOT mailed to me because my CAR went through an intersection. Also, what will be the time for a yellow light, will it be adjustable like it was on Natural Bridge by UMSL?
Canada has outlawed the practice of ticketing with cameras.

If drivers realize that thay are being recorded at intersection and could get a ticket if they are speeding. Maybe they will slow down even more and there will be fewer accidents.

Personally, I think the only reason cameras at intersections would be a good idea is for proving fault for accidents. People are getting busted for going through yellow lights. That is absolutely ridiculous! A yellow light means "proceed with caution" ... not "stop". These lights haven't helped in any way, shape, or form. People are still running the red lights like crazy. Yes, you are an idiot for running them, but NOTHING will stop people from doing it. I don't care how many cameras are put up or how many tickets are issued. AND, to whoever noted that the people who think this is a bad idea are the ones who run the lights...you are sadly mistaken.

We have them in Jefferson County and it has really helped!!!

Red Lights......great idea. If you are obeying the law you have no problem. Those against it or more than likely those who run the lights. You have to be more cognizant of the driver in front of you he may stop suddenly now. Police are very obvious when sitting at a corner waiting for light runners and they can't be everywhere at once.

I purposely jackrabbit off the light at Kingshighway and Chippewa, aiming RIGHT AT the passenger side doors of those who INSIST on running the red left-turn arrow from Chippewa onto Kingshighway (northbound). I lay on the horn and scare the crap out of them. They run through it after it's been red for 10 seconds. I give them NO quarter. I even caught one out in the middle of the intersection one day. She had to SIT there, otherwise she'd have run into MY driver's side door. LOL
Bring 'em on. I hate redlight runners. All of 'em. They're idiots.

When will this dictator style government stop?! More laws and more rules just keep popping up and forcing us to pay more out of pocket. This ranks up there with the other stupid law requiring 8 year olds to sit in booster seats. This is not about catching light running motorists. It's all about collecting fines to generate revenue. If catching light runners is so important, put officers out there to catch them. The only thing I see police do now is guard the Quicktrips and the Krispy Kreme stores. I say we banish all politicians and all lawyers. All they care about is there money generating interests.

Tell us: Are red light cameras a good idea?