Paying the price for lawless driving habits

Seeking information on the red-light camera program, the receptionist at the Brooksville Police non-emergency number was very abrupt in referring me to City Hall where a most pleasant young lady explained that "they do this all the time" in regards to a variety of other inquiries besides my own.

Overly apologetic, she offered the telephone number for the Violation Servicing Center, which again proved to be as unproductive as the other two since their function is to review videos to determine if a citation is to be issued and mailed to the address as designated from data obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles owner registration records.

After striking out three times I remained undaunted as I headed off to the Brooksville Police Station with pen and notebook tucked in my pocket to pose my questions in person. As it turned out, the 15-minute drive proved longer than the time it took to be given answers that were short, to the point and negative on both accounts. I'll get to those in just a moment.

Taking note of on-line reader comments to various articles printed in Hernando Today on the subject of red-light cameras over the past year, many have referred to the fines as "just another reason never go to Brooksville" and that "... there [sic] stopping us from shopping in Brooksville" and the city should be renamed "Crooksville" which "... is quickly becoming the anti-tourist capital of Florida."

And more to the point, "Stay Out of Brooksville. I drive 10 miles out of my way to avoid Brooksville. I have not shopped there since the cameras were put in."

Not widely done according to my lady friend at the police station. My two inquiries were thusly answered - not a single business has made a complaint of having lost a customer due to the installation of red light cameras, nor has there been a report of an influx of traffic in neighborhoods in proximity to camera-ready intersections.

Idle talk from addle-brained discontents is typical of those who get caught doing something they know is wrong but twist the truth to salvage a hurt ego - like the whiny childhood brats you grew up with.

Besides, who in their rightful consumer-driven mind could possibly miss out on visiting Roger's Christmas House and Village? Be serious, there's no other single place in Hernando County than can put a person in a holiday spirit any old time of the year to shop-hop from house-to-house and room-to-room for gifts and trinkets of all sizes, shapes and prices.

Patrons who have come to rely on the quality of products and the level of service that's consistently provided by a respected Brooksville business will not go elsewhere because of a traffic signal. Ludicrous.

The point is that, by simply following traffic signals, a licensed driver can avoid the cost of a citation and use the money for items of need or pleasure rather than putting the blame on a law enforcement agency for what is a verifiable traffic violation.

Considering a traffic ticket would cost $214 if the driver were caught red-handed by a police officer, the $125 citation is a darn good deal. There are also no added fees for, or time spent attending, traffic school and no worry of an auto insurance premium increase from the four points being added to the driver's license.

Neither of these charges is punk change but, until people correct their mindset on driving practices, red-light traffic citations are a fine price to pay for the safety of both pedestrians and other drivers.

Take a moment to think about the alternative to automated camera-driven traffic citations. If a police officer were to issue the traffic ticket at the time of the infraction, how many drivers might also be found breaking other laws, such as driving with a suspended license, no proof of insurance, breaking probation, DUI or, just maybe, "caught in possession ..."

Personally, I welcome the introduction of red-light cameras throughout Hernando County. To begin with, Springhill Drive and Mariner Boulevard is a prime location. Another one, close to home, is Mariner and Cortez. Just this past week, as I began to turn right onto Cortez with an advanced green arrow, a westbound driver ignored the "No U-Turn" sign and without hesitation swung wide into the right lane that I was about to occupy.

I know, it happens all the time to everybody and it's a boring storyline. But that's the point: If having cameras flashing at all times of the day and night doesn't change people's lawless driving habits, at least they'll pay a fine.

Repeat offenders deserve double fines.