Q Shortly after I read your column about more red-light cameras going away, I tripped over an article that outlines Assembly Bill 666. It's designed to rewrite the laws governing these "automated traffic enforcement systems" and I can't find anything I like about the changes.

Tony DiBenedetto

San Jose

A Why is that?

Q The first one is that the registered owner will be responsible for the fine even in cases where it's not the registered owner driving the car and he or she declines to identify the driver. The DMV will automatically withhold registration renewal if the ticket is not paid.

Tony DiBenedetto

A And ...

Q Another feature is that disputes are settled by an administrative hearing, not in a traffic court. The owner has to pay the fine first before a hearing is held. This bill stinks. Let's get more dialogue on this bill going.

Tony DiBenedetto

A Let the debate begin. It comes at a time when nearly three dozen cities in California have scrapped their camera programs. Redwood City is the latest, doing so last month. Proponents say there is one thing to like -- insisting the proposed legislation could lower the hefty $500 fine.

Q I saw your report that Redwood City has ended its red-light camera program, but I just got a ticket in the mail for one on March 28. How are they still sending out tickets if the program has ended? I'm a single mom who will be out $500 she can't afford due to a dead program. Please help!

Wendy Golden

San Mateo

A I have bad news. The program's last day was March 28 -- the day you were caught on camera. You therefore have the distinction of being one of the last drivers to get a red-light camera ticket in Redwood City. My only advice is to take it to court and hope a judge is sympathetic.

Q You seem rather sympathetic to the idea of eliminating red-light cameras. Why is it desirable that red-light runners get away with it, just because there is no police around to witness the violation? Almost every day, I see one or two cars go through intersections just after the light turned red.

Atri Indiresan


A Sympathetic to red-light runners I am not!

Q There is a red-light camera at Hickey Boulevard and El Camino Real in South San Francisco. People drive through the parking lot a short distance to avoid this camera. I am a disabled veteran who uses a scooter to get around and have had to avoid cars driving through the lot after leaving the Jack in the Box there. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Rich Young

San Bruno

A I will alert police, but it's not illegal to cut into the parking lot -- if done safely.

Q Here is something for your cellphone files that I hope gets read by the two women who were in a Foster City parking lot standing behind my car, each on her cellphone:

"I'm sorry you were so annoyed when I asked you to move so I could pull out of my parking space. However, you really SHOULD have made sure your toddler was with you. Thank goodness she called out 'Mommy' as I put my car into reverse.

"And thank goodness I had the radio off, windows open and heard her. She was totally invisible, sitting on the ground within inches of my rear bumper when I jammed the car into park and jumped out. You didn't even seem grateful when I carried her up to you as you walked away, several car-lengths from my car. Of course you were still on your phones."

I'm still having nightmares about what COULD have happened -- and it's been several months.

Barbara Anderson

San Mateo

A I can understand why. FYI: The CHP has issued more than 1,700 tickets related to distracted driving in the Bay Area since April 1.
