Cameras changing the way drivers move through Knoxville

There is an extra set of eyes on one of East Tennessee's busiest intersections. Despite some driver complaints about the red light camera program, many say they do think the roads are safer because of the extra ...

[Smiff]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/n...

[johnny]

well. long as it saves lives

[Daily Trip]

We need red light cameras at the intersection of Middlebrook Pike and Ed Shouse. I drive it daily and I see at least 3 cars run the red light every time.

[WEST HILLS CITIZEN]

THE CAMERAS AT INTERSECTIONS ARE FINE, BUT I WISH SOMEONE WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE POOR PLANNING OF THE INTERSECTION AT BUCKINGHAM AND KINGSTON PIKE, AS YOU EXIT THE INTERSTATE IN FRONT OF THE HWY PATROL OFFICE. I WISH AN INQUIRY WAS MADE ON HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED SINCE THAT NEW EXIT RAMP WAS OPENDED. I LIVE IN WEST HILLS, AND HAVE OBSERVED MANY WRECKS FROM THAT BLIND EXIT. WHO PLANS A BLIND EXIT BEHIND A TUNNEL OVERPASS. THANK YOU.

[rai jai]

they need to fix some lights first before they put up these revenue-generating red lights

The traffic lights at middlebrook pike-ball camp pike and kingston pike-walker springs road are car-sensitive as they do not have sensors. The side streets get a green lights even when there are no cars lined up. It just causes unnecessary traffic jams.

[rai jai]

-------edited version*
they need to fix some lights first before they put up additional revenue-generating red lights

The traffic lights at middlebrook pike-ball camp pike and kingston pike-walker springs road are not car-sensitive as they do not have sensors. The side streets get a green lights even when there are no cars lined up. It just causes unnecessary traffic jams.

[robbed]

Fair warning... DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED. If so, the wonderful City of Knoxville will mail you a $50 ticket via the mail. Well, thank you. You clowns might as well have come to my residence with a shotgun, but then again, all the cops in this town are too busy trying to pick up the clerks at the convenient stores and/or hustling for a free lunch.

What a joke this town is...

[Steve Y]

I think the cameras are a good thing,butthe one at Broadway and I-640 takes picture when people are stopped waiting for the light to change.I saw it happen this morning.

[Yike]

robbed wrote:

Fair warning... DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED. If so, the wonderful City of Knoxville will mail you a $50 ticket via the mail.

That's sad, seeing as how Knoxville was birthplace of the "Turn Right on Red" movement to save gas. Perhaps they should look at refunding tickets for people caught in that bind.

[epic lulz]

rai jai wrote:

they need to fix some lights first before they put up these revenue-generating red lights.

This.

I've noticed that these cameras are going up on some of the most broken and badly timed lights in the city.

When a light is green long enough to only let 3-4 cars through a busy intersection the problem isn't going to be solved by adding cameras.

[JAIL THEM ALL]

Charter Vol wrote:

Sure has changed it. I can't count how many I've seen stop at the green light for fear it may turn yellow. And ! God forbid it does turn yellow as they'll slam on the breaks no matter where they are.
btw: I saw two people on K.Pike yesterday. They were throwing their fast food garbage right out on the road in front on everyone. I got the plate number and noticed it was expired. As I passed them on the road I noticed the had Mexican heritage.
So, if I'm trying to get to work and squeeze through a yellow that blinks red I get a 50 dollar ticket in the mail. I also have a 60 dollar fee for my tag renewal...thanks "wheel tax".
Meanwhile illegalls trash the place up with no reguard for anything.
great ...

How stupid and dangerous you are stopping at a green light anticipating a change to yellow. You not only put your life at risk others too. As long as your back bumper is past the white limit marker when the light turns red you will not get a ticket. Like wise if you are in the middle of the intersection waiting to make a left turn and the light turns red you will not get a ticket. As far as someone littering, there is a # you can call to report them. They will be notified by letter and if they are reported again then I believe they will be ticketed. I will post the # when I can find it right now I escapes my memory.

[Jaz]

If you come to a complete stop and then take a right on red, then you have nothing to worry about. That's the law. The only exception to that law in Tennessee is if there is a sign that says No Right Turn on Red.

They send you a video to review - the evidence is right there before your court date.

[Got caught too]

It's not turning right on red that is the problem. I got a ticket for not coming to a complete stop before turning right on red. That is the law for red lights and stop signs as well.

[Jo Jo Jo]

At every red light intersection, I want a timer as to how long it is until the light will turn yellow, just like downtown on Gay street. When they do that, I'll agree that red light cameras are for safety. Until then, it's NOTHING but a revenue grab disguised as a safety precaution. My wife has been in two car accidents, both rear end collisions that hit her. She now probably will have neck pain for the rest of her life. Now she's doubly paranoid when driving for fear of another accident AND getting a fine for trying to protect herself while driving through potential red lights.

[NightSerf]

Smiff wrote:

http://www.dallasnews.com/shar edcontent/dws/news/localnews/s tories/DN-redlights_15met.ART. North.Edition1.468120d.html

Smiff, I doubt that I am the only one who views posting a link as the sole item in a post as so lazy and disrespectful that I refuse follow or read it. If you have a point to make, then make it yurself. If there are links that support your point of view, by all means provide them. But don't expect me or many other readers to follow your blind link.

[bluegeek]

You can report observed littering online

http://www.tdot.state.tn.us//environment/beau...

or call 1-877-8-LITTER

[Catter]

robbed wrote:

Fair warning... DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED. If so, the wonderful City of Knoxville will mail you a $50 ticket via the mail.

You may turn right on red and NOT get a ticket from a red light camera IF you come to a COMPLETE STOP for the red BEFORE turning. Unfortunately too many fools on the road believe in rolling stops at Stop signs and when turning right on red. That's when the ticket is generated.

I turn right on red everyday with no problems. It's just a matter of OBEYING traffic laws. If everyone did what they were supposed to be doing on the road, we wouldn't have to resort to red light cameras.

I keep hoping for the speed cameras, too.

[jtUTK]

Well all I keep hearing is that these cameras are for our safety. People forget they make money for the city. If the city is serious that they do not care about the money, then they should donate all of the proceeds to a charity in Knox County.

[NightSerf]

Yike wrote:

<quoted text>
That's sad, seeing as how Knoxville was birthplace of the "Turn Right on Red" movement to save gas. Perhaps they should look at refunding tickets for people caught in that bind.

The law says that we can turn right on red, but only after stopping. Few even slow down much more than they need to for control. If you don't stop before turning right on a red light, then you can be ticketed.

We humans are an impatient lot, and our perceptions are not what they could be. We often think we've stopped when we've actually slowed down to three or four miles per hour before continuing, and while that may be the same thing for all practical purposes, legally, it is not.

To some extent, it's a matter of attitude. When the light turns yellow, we can either decide whether we can beat the light or whether we have time to stop. I do the latter. If I don't think I have time for a smooth stop, I don't try to, and I have never received a ticket for running a red light.

Speeding is a different story...

[sam]

now that is good . when they first put thethings up we were told that the cameras would take the place of a lot of cops I haven't seen the first cop being relived of their jobs
Cops of knoxville you don't have to wory about your jobs because all you have to do is nothing like you are doing now and they will even hire more ? people to be on the force.