I think they're a good idea, sorry
I've experienced them in many countries (Europe) and as pointed out above;
If you run the red light, you are automatically in the wrong unless you can show some good reason (safety related) why it was necessary - driving at excessive speed and running out of time and space to stop for it is not such a reason (although for safety reasons, you actually probably should just keep going and pay the fine like a man).
If someone drives into the rear of your vehicle, they were driving too fast or too close or paying insufficient attention to road and traffic conditions, maybe even all three. Regardless, they're going to be paying for your car, their car, possibly facing prosecution and you're sure to sue for any injuries. This hypothetical situation is not grounds for you to commit an actual offence.
The monetary issues... well, this varies from nation to nation. In the UK people get upset with speeding cameras and red light cameras because the revenue is ringfenced and must be spent on still more cameras. There are steps to alter this and many councils (they are county level local government) are removing cameras or rendering them inoperative on grounds of safety but actually because it costs them money to run the cameras but they get no revenue from them, themselves. In other nations the situation is usually more sensible. In the USA it would seem that private contractors are getting a cut, which does worry me, I have to say.
Points to bear in mind about traffic signals:
On green, as you approach, you should be OFF the gas and preparing to SLOW TO A STOP, until you are close enough to the signal that at your present speed you could not stop or the signal changes (in which case you STOP!).
On amber, as you approach, you come to a STOP unless it occurs when you are already too close to stop, in which case you carry on.
On red, you STOP. This is not rocket science. If you cannot see the signal yet, you drive AS IF IT IS RED. This is because it could be and you MUST STOP if it is, whereas if it turns out to be in your favour, you can simply carry on with no danger (and accelerate if you need to).
Really, if you don't understand this already or choose to ignore it, these cameras were made to catch you and fine you, in the hope of changing your behaviour for the safety of the rest of us. The USA has an atrocious road death toll when compared to other 'first world' nations and poor driving accounts for the majority of it, despite the focus on alcohol recently (which is obviously very serious too).
I've experienced them in many countries (Europe) and as pointed out above;
If you run the red light, you are automatically in the wrong unless you can show some good reason (safety related) why it was necessary - driving at excessive speed and running out of time and space to stop for it is not such a reason (although for safety reasons, you actually probably should just keep going and pay the fine like a man).
If someone drives into the rear of your vehicle, they were driving too fast or too close or paying insufficient attention to road and traffic conditions, maybe even all three. Regardless, they're going to be paying for your car, their car, possibly facing prosecution and you're sure to sue for any injuries. This hypothetical situation is not grounds for you to commit an actual offence.
The monetary issues... well, this varies from nation to nation. In the UK people get upset with speeding cameras and red light cameras because the revenue is ringfenced and must be spent on still more cameras. There are steps to alter this and many councils (they are county level local government) are removing cameras or rendering them inoperative on grounds of safety but actually because it costs them money to run the cameras but they get no revenue from them, themselves. In other nations the situation is usually more sensible. In the USA it would seem that private contractors are getting a cut, which does worry me, I have to say.
Points to bear in mind about traffic signals:
On green, as you approach, you should be OFF the gas and preparing to SLOW TO A STOP, until you are close enough to the signal that at your present speed you could not stop or the signal changes (in which case you STOP!).
On amber, as you approach, you come to a STOP unless it occurs when you are already too close to stop, in which case you carry on.
On red, you STOP. This is not rocket science. If you cannot see the signal yet, you drive AS IF IT IS RED. This is because it could be and you MUST STOP if it is, whereas if it turns out to be in your favour, you can simply carry on with no danger (and accelerate if you need to).
Really, if you don't understand this already or choose to ignore it, these cameras were made to catch you and fine you, in the hope of changing your behaviour for the safety of the rest of us. The USA has an atrocious road death toll when compared to other 'first world' nations and poor driving accounts for the majority of it, despite the focus on alcohol recently (which is obviously very serious too).