The defining difference of mentalities
I can’t believe that there is someone who regards running a red light to be the equivalent of illegal parking [“Red-light tickets veer off course,” NWWednesday, Nov. 25]. This defies logic, but of course politicians and the law have never been particularly concerned about logic.
Sadly, it looks like some of our citizens also have trouble with logic.
Running a red light is stupid and dangerous and reckless. It signifies an elitist mentality that pervades our citizenry. Howling about photo cops also smacks of an “if you don’t catch me, then I didn’t do it” mentality.
Where is the attitude of, “I am a citizen and therefore I respect the laws and my fellow citizens” mentality?
Running red lights and stop signs is a serious problem. In small towns, such as where I live, it is an absolutely endemic practice that everyone seems to tolerate. Such practices simply breed disrespect for traffic laws, and have a downstream consequence that implies, the only crime is getting caught.
One easy way to avoid a ticket is to behave responsibly. Don’t speed, don’t run red lights, don’t moan about the costs of doing so.
— Dick Swenson, Walla Walla
I’m a two-time recipient of camera citations
As a two-time recipient of $128 red-light camera citations, I have to say to columnist Danny Westneat and the whining 49: Get over it.
It was folly to ever equate, however loosely, running a red light with a parking violation. Only one of these transgressions routinely puts life and limb at risk. Only one needs a disincentive with teeth in it. Only one presents incontrovertible evidence that a driver was willing to endanger all who unwittingly cross his path on his way to shaving precious seconds off his all-important trip.
No doubt all have seen downtown intersections, teeming with crossing pedestrian traffic, where the occasional self-absorbed driver comes barreling through against the red, all the while chatting on a cellphone. This harried sort of behavior is practically an epidemic, and a measure that encourages one to chill for about 30 seconds every so often is a positive one.
It’s compromise enough that these citations do not appear on our driving records. Ratcheting the fine down to the parking-ticket range would turn it into an elaborate but forgettable wrist slap. Besides, in these days of the impossible budget mess, where public agencies are struggling to maintain services and keep people employed, it would be shortsighted to begrudge them this win-win revenue generator.
— Jeffrey Floor, Seattle