While we think bait cars are a great idea, we're generally opposed to Big Brother tactics, including red light cameras. Numerous stories have surfaced about cities shortening their yellow lights to trap motorists, which isn't just unethical, it's downright unsafe. While Union City, California admits no malfeasance, it's been discovered that their yellow lights were one second too short, thus invalidating roughly $400,000 in revenue. Oops. Our feeling is that traffic tickets should be used to mete out punishment to drivers who truly break the law, not as quick cash generators for governments, and we're glad to see justice served in the matter. [Thanks to Denton suitor CTE for the tip.]
Badly timed traffic signals cost Union City big bucks [InsideBayArea]
Related:
Pennsylvania State Police Busted for Ticket Quota Practice [Internal]