To the editor,
Re: Photo radar a turn-off for tourism, Letters, July 25.
Very surprised by the comments of the letter writer about the ticket they received for running a red light in Nanaimo. The ‘red light’ cameras are not photo radar – photo radar was the vans set up on the side of roads and highways to catch drivers exceeding the speed limit. The red light cameras have been in place for years and are all over the province – even in Victoria. I must admit to being stunned that the letter writer would complain about a ticket received for running a red light – rules of the road are you stop at red lights – there is no excuse to go through one. People running red lights have become epidemic – we have a new game we play at traffic lights and that is to count the number of cars that go through the light after it turns red. Without exaggeration it is often two or three, but sometimes as many as five or six. That is why all the vehicles with the green light were still stopped – everyone waits a few seconds now to make sure no one else is coming through. The couple was holidaying with their grandchildren – carrying precious cargo – I am surprised they would complain about being ticketed for breaking the law. If the shoe were on the other foot and he was hit while someone else was running a red light would he simply shrug it off as one of those things? Of course not. The ticket states that the fine that has been levied is going to pay for municipal policing – that seems like a very fair use of funds. The only thing illogical about any of this is that the letter writer seems to think he is above the law.
Kathryn Seaker, Nanaimo
To the editor,
Re: Photo radar a turn-off for tourism, Letters, July 25.
After reading the letter concerning photo red light cameras, I am glad the letter writer will not stop in Nanaimo anymore. It only makes the roads safer for myself and my grandchildren.
I am sure he would not be complaining about driving through a red light if a truck or large vehicle had hit his car.
He ran a light, got caught, so be a man and pay up. I have seen the signs that say red light cameras in use, so does that mean that’s the only time not to run a red light?
Andy Vanger, Nanaimo
To the editor,
Re: Photo radar a turn-off for tourism, Letters, July 25.
The letter writer got a fine because he broke the law and got caught.
If the driver had just stopped like he was supposed to, it might be four minutes until the next green light and he can be first in line. It doesn’t matter if he saw a sign about photo radar or not, he was wrong and got caught. Maybe he would like to take a refresher course for seniors from a driving school in his town.
We value our citizens and try and obey the rules of the road.
J. Nelson, Nanaimo