Letter: Red-light cameras inspire safety
A red-light camera monitors the North Service Road of the LIE at Ronkonkoma Avenue in Ronkonkoma. (Oct. 28, 2010) Credit: James Carbone
Newsday received eight letters in response to "Red-light cameras are dangerous" [Letters, Jan. 20]. All defended the cameras, and one writer asked why the fines were not collected with more zeal, to help fill Nassau County's budget gap.
The writer stated that he witnessed a motorist slam on his brakes at a yellow light, and "the car behind him did not have brakes as good and rear-ended him." Well, I'm not an automotive expert, but my instincts tell me that the driver was most likely following too closely.
Years ago when I took my driver's education class, we were instructed to keep several car lengths behind, in the event there was a need for a sudden stop. I rarely see this practiced on local roads. In fact, the "rule" of the road seems to be, how closely can cars follow the vehicle in front of them?
Red-light cameras are not the hazard. The apparent hazard is drivers who attempt to beat the yellow light and follow too closely. Bad brakes have nothing to do with these rear-end accidents. Bad drivers are more the issue!
Beth Rose Feuerstein, Long Beach
