The City of Santa Clarita got this brilliant idea a few years, to force people to obey the law. They contracted with a company and got them to install cameras at major intersections in our City. Their basic justification was that too many accidents were occurring, due to people running the red lights. Well, that's all well and good, but what has resulted, at least in the eyes of this resident, is that there are whole sections of our city, that I avoid. I don't think that is what was envisioned by the people who installed these things and I don't think The Mall, specifically will like hearing these words.
The main roads in our area all pass by the Mall, that is located in the very center of the city. Right across from City Hall, as a matter of fact. The developer who created the Mall and much of the design of the roads, houses and buildings in our city, called this area, Town Center and this convergence was very deliberately done. Unfortunately for them, many of these "Photo Enforced Intersections" are right around the Mall. To get from my home to the Mall I have to pass 2 or 3 of these things and what I have found happens is that I avoid the area like the plague. If I have to travel that route and go through one of these intersections, I end up scaring the passengers by screaming as I pass under the light. Not very conducive to a serene drive, since this driver is cursing quite a bit.
What adds to the nightmare quality of the experience is that most of the roads in the City of Santa Clarita are 3 or 4 lanes across. Note that at the intersection itself, there could be as many as 6 or 7 lanes, if you count the many turn lanes attached to it. Lots of business going on, lots of people making last minute lane changes and so much danger, then add in that camera shooting everyone who runs the light, strobing lights and all...well you get the picture. Chaos!
In comparison, the Valley has mostly 2 or 3 lanes of traffic. You move slow, but you get where you are going in relative safety. I don't feel that way anymore, here in our City.
The days of a calm drive in the back country of Los Angeles are long gone...and I miss it.
Cost of running one of those lights? $375 right off the bat and from what I have heard from people who got caught, you end up losing about $500 all told. That's a chunk of money that I don't normally have lying around.
Progress...yea, right.
well, i thought i was becoming a nag when it comes to driving in traffic or rather avoiding it :-)
ReplyDeletei don't curse, Nino does a lot. i stay calm most of the time. i have my driver's licence for 24 years now and it sure ain't as much fun as back then, to dilly dally in a machine on wheels. maybe i should try flying to eh?
375 may be a fine, it is not lol!
My son will teach you. :-)
ReplyDelete