[jonkelly]

I'd say the biggest issue is that they provide a perverse incentive to the local government -- reduce the duration of the yellow light to generate more red-light revenue. I couldn't easily find a link but I believe this happened in Denver (and that they later re-instated longer yellows after public outcry). My understanding is that lengthening yellow-light times and adding a delay between red & green are the proven ways to prevent accidents.

I've seen the camera supporters argue that even if cameras cause more rear-end accidents those are preferable to t-bone crashes from red light runners, but that's a false choice. Longer yellows and red-green delays prevent both types of crashes.

Beyond this, I think there is legitimate opposition to the lack of discretion by the cameras. In places with snow & ice, there are plenty of times when it is impossible to stop at a red light even when travelling well below posted limits.

[mgkimsal]

Is it this story?

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/23/2300.asp

"Denver, Colorado was caught this week attempting to add red light cameras at intersections with short yellow times. Rocky Mountain News reporters videotaped the city's four proposed ticketing locations and discovered that each had a yellow signal time set at 3.0 seconds -- a figure below recommended standards."

[vacri]

It should also be noted that they are at the legal minimum. They're not 'flying under the radar'.

[caf]

If you increase the yellow light duration and red-green delay, won't the risk-taking drivers eventually adjust their behaviour to the same level of risk, by running the lights even later?

[pc86]

Exactly. You don't get a bigger fine if you run a red light after it's been red for 50ms v. 2s, and the fine isn't bigger if the other road has a green.

People are just so important that they have to get to the next red light 10 seconds faster than everyone else.

[pc86]

I've seen others mention the yellow-light timing issue and I hadn't heard this counterpoint before.

As for the discretion, at least in my jurisdiction all automated violations (currently only red light cameras in certain parts of the state I believe, nothing in my immediate area) are reviewed by a police officer who has final say. Presumably they'd be able to tell if a vehicle just slid a few inches into the intersection v. ran the light 2 seconds after it turned red.

[city41]

I'm not sure Denver is a very good city to base this on. I've lived in Denver now for 3 years and I've never seen so many people run red lights in my life! It's absolutely considered "normal" here.