Letters: Traffic cameras take away discretion
A speed camera clocks vehicles traveling southbound on Utopia Parkway near 56th Avenue towards Francis Lewis High School in Queens on Sept. 2, 2014. Credit: Charles Eckert
I've been a police officer on Long Island for 11 years, and targeting aggressive and drunken driving has always been a top priority for me ["Traffic court offers lessons," News, Oct. 26]. I was the victim of a wrong-way drunken driver in 2011 who seriously injured me.
I've read countless articles about the pros and cons of traffic enforcement by cameras. The cameras have some good points, however using them to enforce simple traffic laws takes away the discretion of the law enforcement officer and angers motorists.
I stop motorists daily, and more often than not I can check their license and registration, make sure their insurance is up to date and give them a warning. Traffic tickets are issued by most law enforcement officers when they are deserved, not for a minor speed violation, or a slight roll through a right-on-red intersection when all is clear. Most officers would not even stop a motorist for that.
A warning can go a long way sometimes, and we are all guilty of a traffic infraction every once in a while.
Vincent A. Rantinella, Ridge
Editor's note: The writer works for the East Hampton Town Police Department.
The article "Camera fines add up fast" [News, Oct. 19] drove home an important point: Many people are ignorant of vehicle and traffic laws, and the onus is on them to know it.
The red-light and speed cameras are the easiest things to defeat. Observe the posted speed limit around schools, and do not take a chance making a right on red at camera-protected intersections.
I will no longer make a right on red at such an intersection, regardless of the circumstances. These days it could be a sign missing that prohibits the turn, or not counting off the unknown number of seconds required to fully stop, that causes a summons to arrive in the mail. It's not worth the risk.
Yes, I have had people sound their horns and flash their headlights at me, but so be it. Maybe they enjoy the risk and already have a few tickets, so one more for them is a nonissue. I have better uses for the money than to prop up a failed county government.
Robert G. Schaffrath, Glen Head
Since most of us agree that the speed-zone cameras are nothing but a chance for the counties to increase revenue, let's put the money where it belongs. Give half the money to the school district where the ticket was issued. Schools need tax relief also.
Peter R. Wunsch, East Northport
Editor's note: The writer is the former president of the Commack school board.
