Red Light Cameras in LA: Flashback to the Future, or Flashing You a Break?
Ah, Los Angeles. The City of Angels, the land of dreams, and...the ever-present threat of a red light camera catching your cruising past a yellow light. Those little red boxes mounted on intersections, blinking ominously like the eyes of Cthulhu...or maybe that's just what they look like after a particularly long commute.
But fear not, fellow drivers! Because as it turns out, getting a red light camera ticket in LA is about as likely as spotting a real angel on Hollywood Boulevard (though with the amount of costume characters around, you never know these days).
The Plot Thickens: The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of Red Light Cameras
Red light cameras were all the rage in LA for a while. They were supposed to be safety superheroes, swooping in to reduce accidents and make intersections safer. And hey, maybe they did. But let's be honest, they were also a bit of a money-maker for the city. Traffic tickets are a thing, after all.
But then, a twist! In a move that surprised everyone (except maybe those who got a bunch of tickets they didn't have to pay), the Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled that red light camera tickets couldn't be enforced. Basically, the courts said "nah" to red light camera tickets. This was back in 2014, and it's been a weird kind of limbo ever since.
So, You're Saying There's a Chance? (But Probably Not)
Here's the thing: While LA isn't currently enforcing red light camera tickets, the cameras themselves are still up in many intersections. It's like they're taking a break, maybe working on their tans. Or maybe they're just waiting for their chance to flash you again someday.
There's also some talk about a new law, AB-645, that could bring red light cameras back in a different form. So, technically, there is a possibility that you could get a red light camera ticket in LA again someday. But for now, you can relax a little on that yellow light.
Just Don't Push Your Luck (Unless You're Feeling Lucky)
Now, this isn't a green light (pun intended) to speed through every intersection like a bat out of hell. Traffic safety is still important, and a real police officer might not be as forgiving as a dusty red light camera. So, slow down, be cautious, and enjoy the fact that for now, at least, those cameras are more like paparazzi waiting for a celebrity who never shows up.