1. Download the POI group from the site above
2. Download and install "POI loader". It is free from Garmin. I'm sure that Tom Tom and the others have something similar to get custom POIs onto your device.
3. Plug your GPS into the computer and run POI loader.
I have mine set so that there's a proximity alarm when you get with 600 metres of one of these cameras. Disadvantage is that it will chime regardless of the direction the camera is facing. Advantage is it'll raise your awareness of the intersection and you'll check your speed regardless.
There's also one for Calgary locations only (as opposed to all of Canada), but I don't see the harm in having it beep at me when I'm in Edmonton either.
And while you're on that POI Friend site, there are loads of other groups so you can, for example, download all the Tim Horton's locations, etc. Very handy when you're in a place you don't know very well and you need your fix. And you can actually suggest changes to the POIs as well, so if you find a camera/store/etc. that isn't listed, you can add it.
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They should just have everybody pay an extra tax each year and be done with it. It's just another cash grab for our police force.
How did people get in their cars and arrive anywhere alive over the past 50 years? With all the new traffic laws and "preventitive" crap like this coming into play it's a wonder any of us are alive right now.
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Man, I'm not sure what you guys are complaining about. More photo radar, and less laser radar is just fine with me. I can see ahead of time if there's photo radar, or radar at intersections, and slow down. Laser, the cops just jumps out and gives a ticket AND demerits. I've seen a huge decline in the number of laser radar sites as a result of an increase in photo radar enforcement, and I love it!
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I'm too lazy to search for a link, but I read a study that concluded that red light cameras increase accidents at intersections, but there is decrease in severity of accidents.
Okay, you can google around for studies. There are many. But I found this interesting (from Wikipedia):
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A 2004 Texas Transportation Institute study found, "crashes decrease with an increase in yellow interval duration and a reduction in speed limit." After 1.0 second was added to the yellow signal timing at test intersections, accidents dropped by 35 to 40%. This compares with a 6.4% reduction for "area-wide officer enforcement of intersection traffic control devices... during the time of the enforcement activity" [7].
So, instead of adding cameras, why not just add a second to the yellow light? Oh, right, that doesn't bring in money.
In a recent study done in my mind just now, 98% of people who speed think they are F1 drivers and should be allowed to and only the sh1tty drivers should slow down.
Does they prevent accidents? Who cares.
Is it a cash grab? Who cares.
Fact is - if you don't want a ticket, do the speed limit or pay it when you get it.
In the words of WoW nerds: Less QQ, more pew pew.
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They should just have everybody pay an extra tax each year and be done with it. It's just another cash grab for our police force.
How did people get in their cars and arrive anywhere alive over the past 50 years? With all the new traffic laws and "preventitive" crap like this coming into play it's a wonder any of us are alive right now.
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no, because I don't trust the government to manage extra tax properly and effectively. Let this be a user-pay type tax. I'm already over-taxed as is.
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Absolutely not. Lethbridge just added these this fall, only 3 intersections and they're absolutely cashing in. As far as I know the threshold is 12 km/h over the limit.
Wow you guys are screwed... at least with only 3 intersections in town I can slow down for them, but I'd never remember with 44 intersections. I figure there's diminishing returns though; with so many intersections people will learn a lot faster and slow down for them. With fewer, it's much easier to forget and each intersection will make money. Just a theory.
Hhhmmmm, I've gone through at least 1 of those at the bottom of a downhill section a little too quick on several occasions. ** cough** 14th & Northmount **cough**
But always do make sure I try to slow down...and never try to beat a red there.
So that 1 is a little tricky, being bottom of a hill and all.
Studies have shown the red light cameras don't reduce accidents since people slam on the brakes as soon as it turns yellow... Not to mention some cities have also shortened the cycle time that the light is amber which only makes this worse.
Pure cash grab.
While I generally tend to agree that much of the HTA enforcement locally is a cash grab, while what you're saying is true (accidents increase), you're missing the flip side of that coin. The "studies" (I use that term loosely) linked in this thread, might show an increase in collisions at red-light intersections, they actually reduce the number of fatalities and injury accidents at these intersections.
Rear-ending accidents while you're breaking are a hell of a lot less damaging than 2 cars colliding at 70km/h front-on or at right angles.
Add in the fact that now the cameras are forcing people to go slower in the intersections, and I can see this having a great impact on the severity of accidents.
You can pick and choose studies to prove either side of the argument, but at the end of the day if you've got people more aware, paying attention, and going slower through these intersections, its a win-win situation. I've gotten a couple of radar tickets and have adjusted my driving accordingly (slow down in these intersections and don't run the reds), so its clearly working.
Yep. These cameras have ZERO to do with safety. Zip.
And I guarantee the cycles times of the lights are setup to nab as many people as possible. Plus you have no way of contesting these, what if the system is out of calibration? Too bad for you. BTW, I regularly see Police vehicles blatantly disregard the rules of the road. If you're going to setup cash grabs under the guise of safety, and least pretend you're leading by example.
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You can pick and choose studies to prove either side of the argument, but at the end of the day if you've got people more aware, paying attention, and going slower through these intersections, its a win-win situation. I've gotten a couple of radar tickets and have adjusted my driving accordingly (slow down in these intersections and don't run the reds), so its clearly working.
You're assuming everyone adjusts their driving style as you did. Some people don't care about the fines, and will just pay them (I know several people like this). Plus there is misunderstanding on how these cameras work, some people will hit the gas when the light turns amber, so they don't go through the intersection when the light is red. And to that point, I've noticed that at many intersections, even when going the speed limit, it is not difficult to end up having the light turn red before you cross the intersection. And there are other scenarios as well, if traffic is slow, you can EASILY go through a red light, which is really not your fault. What are you supposed to do. Stop at a green light, then floor the accelerator to get through the light before it turns? Good luck with that. The fact is, there are many traffic scenarios where you will go through a red light, but it is not dangerous. But you will be photographed and ticketed for it.
If the city really wants to reduce accidents, put a GIANT sign (not the little tiny ones they have now) that tells you the intersection is equipped with a camera. That way less people will speed though the intersection or run the light. What would be even better is having people pulled over by an Officer and given a ticket on the spot. This way you can issue demerits, and the impact is immediate. Getting something in the mail has far less impact. And like I said, for people that money is not much of an issue, they just pay and keep driving the same way.
You're assuming everyone adjusts their driving style as you did. Some people don't care about the fines, and will just pay them (I know several people like this).
Are you serious? Where do I even start with this?
First off, I'm a speeder and I'll occasionally run a light, so I'm far from innocent in this; but you really can't form any sort of argument against the good that these lights do.
People who don't care and just pay: Good for them, let them continue to enjoy their lifestyle and the costs associated with it; no skin off my nose. They do the crime, they pay the fine.
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Plus there is misunderstanding on how these cameras work, some people will hit the gas when the light turns amber, so they don't go through the intersection when the light is red.
People who don't understand how the lights work: Really, when has ignorance ever been a good argument? The lights take pictures when you're car is either speeding or running a red and in violation of the HTA, its not that complicated. The camera doesn't even start firing until moments after it turned red, not instantaneously.
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And to that point, I've noticed that at many intersections, even when going the speed limit, it is not difficult to end up having the light turn red before you cross the intersection. And there are other scenarios as well, if traffic is slow, you can EASILY go through a red light, which is really not your fault. What are you supposed to do. Stop at a green light, then floor the accelerator to get through the light before it turns? Good luck with that.The fact is, there are many traffic scenarios where you will go through a red light, but it is not dangerous. But you will be photographed and ticketed for it.
Intersections are setup and timed based on the flow/size/nature of the intersection. I can't see a case (aside from Ice/weather conditions) where running the red or getting stuck in a red is not your fault. You shouldn't have proceeded through the intersection if you couldn't make it through safely.
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If the city really wants to reduce accidents, put a GIANT sign (not the little tiny ones they have now) that tells you the intersection is equipped with a camera. That way less people will speed though the intersection or run the light.
Really? Really? Thats your solution?? A big sign? Come on
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What would be even better is having people pulled over by an Officer and given a ticket on the spot. This way you can issue demerits, and the impact is immediate. Getting something in the mail has far less impact. And like I said, for people that money is not much of an issue, they just pay and keep driving the same way.
Yes, the CPS has infinite funds to station officers in patrol vehicles at every intersection. Thats it, you've solved everything!
