Readers' Views: Red-light runners

The subject of red-light runners has touched a nerve with many readers. Here is a selection of responses:

Good to see the issue of red-light running being brought up - it is something I see every single day. But if you thought that K Rd intersection was bad, go and watch Hobson/Pitt/Union and the motorway on-ramp at around 5pm on a weekday. Bring on the cameras, I say.
- Paul Quinlan

We've just moved back to NZ from the US after living for 10 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. In many cities around that region they post signs at busy intersections reminding motorists that the minimum fine for running a red light is US$321. They have at least a couple of these signs from every direction in visually obvious places and it seems to get the message across, if not from the fine itself, then by the continual reminder not to break the lights.
- Darryl Chong

I run the red. If the people who set the phasing on the Auckland traffic lights spent as much time as I do sitting at them I'm sure they would sneak through the odd one too. There is a complete lack of understanding of traffic flow and until the engineers who design the systems understand this there won't be any change to red-light running, no matter how many cameras are set up.
- Ian Leslie

We have an urgent need to alter the perception that you only need to "stop on red", when the understanding should be that you only "go on green". Too many motorists think that it is okay to continue through an intersection on amber. Rotorua's Fenton St traffic lights are a dangerous example of this and I have learned that just because the "Cross Now" lights are lit doesn't mean that you can just cross without being aware of cars trying to beat the red.
- Garry Owen

At last, someone is speaking up about this most scary of driving habits. I am reasonably new to New Zealand and when we first arrived I was beginning to believe that a red light only meant stop, but only if you have to, and amber meant speed up. I was well and truly abused one day for stopping at an amber light. I have also been a passenger in a car where the driver, upon waiting a few seconds at a red light said "bugger this, nothing's coming" and proceeded through the red light. My flabber was well and truly gasted that day. Where we came from, red meant stop. Full stop. Just think of the revenue that could be raised for roading projects just by placing cameras at traffic lights.
- Sarah Campbell

I suspect that the problem is worse on Friday nights, rather that commuting times. After a bad experience at the intersection of Epsom Ave and Gillies Ave heading west which nearly took me and my family out, I am very careful to check that there is no one coming when the lights turn green. I think that red-light cameras would help the problem, although, of course, they would be quite expensive to install and administer. Maybe at key intersections, or randomly moved around like speed cameras. I live in Epsom and have driven in the UK, USA and Australia.
- David Benner

You simply cannot cross an intersection at a green light without checking and waiting for at least 15-20 seconds after the light change. I originally come from Germany, but having lived (and driven, accident-free I might add) here for nearly 30 years, I only have to make two comments: This would be suicidal in Europe; and, secondly, I suspect the reason for it to happen here has something to do with the sheep-following-sheep syndrome.
- Wolfgang von Stetten

I noticed about four weeks ago I started to see a lot of red-light runners on my way to work every morning. Then throughout the day around Auckland more of the same. To my surprise I started seeing it every day over the past three weeks. And then to see this article, well it's great: I'm not the only one seeing it. YES every set of lights should have a red light camera! And the fines for going through them should be at least $500 - if not more. What's 500 bucks compared to someone ending up in hospital because of a red-light runner?
- Michael Jarvis