So You Think You Can Speed Up On Yellow, Eh?

Online, December 18, 2011 (Newswire.com) - I've got some good news and I've got some bad news. Which do you want first? Oh...the good. Ok. The CITY OF LOS ANGELES has turned OFF the Red Light Ticketing Camera Program and is no longer issuing $500 tickets for people who speed up on red or do the "Sushi Stop"......the California roll while making a right turn.

Because of poor contracts with the vendors of these devices, where it basically was COSTING LA to have the cameras, AND the fact that the LA Superior Court does NOT issue a warrant if you don't pay it, but does hold it in the system should you end up back in that court, they decided to stop the program for now.

Ok....here is the BAD news. The cameras are STILL operating in LA County on the BUSWAY in The Valley (as these are operated under a contract with the MTA) and in cities with their own contracts (Culver City is one great example).

So....running a red light happens to be the #1 cause of car crashes AND car death in Los Angeles County. You are NOT allowed to go thru a YELLOW if it turns RED on you BEFORE you clear the intersection. CVC21453 says specifically.....you may NOT "FACE" a steady circular red signal. Yellow means PREPARE TO STOP...not SPEED UP, cause all you are doing is getting to the NEXT red light sooner. Waste of time, money and maybe your life. You have to make a COMPLETE stop (COUNT 1-2-no cops-or camera) before you turn right on red (and NEVER against a red arrow). Seems silly to stop for 3 seconds, unless you'd rather stop for EIGHT HOURS IN TRAFFIC SCHOOL??? Seems like a little time management adjustment is needed.

You CAN still opt for 8 hours of defensive driving in your neighborhood Traffic school (online or classroom) to take care of the tickets, but remember....you are looking at OVER $500 by the time you get done with the fine+ traffic school authorization by the court+ The cost of the school.

Don't run red lights.....just drive as if your life depended on it!!