Readers support use of cameras to slow speeders

Q

So AB 2336 would allow a pilot program to test speed cameras in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. My thoughts? Yes, absolutely!! Longtime member of the ACLU, but I think the privacy concerns are way overblown. …. Yes, yes, a million times, yes!

— Will Beatty, Scott Miller, Lynne McCoy

and millions more

A

Roadshow's survey of proposed new traffic legislation drew overwhelming support for use of cameras to slow speeders down on city streets. The proposal to allow jaywalking also had much support. Other proposals drew mixed reactions. The proposal to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield situations raised concern with drivers.

Q

When I worked in downtown San Jose, they could have written jaywalking tickets all day, everyday, especially around 4th Street near the San Jose State campus.

— Louis S., San Jose

A

But …

Q

Pedestrians should not be ticketed for crossing midblock because, in some cases, going to the nearest corner and back can add 10plus minutes to cross a road like El Camino Real.

— John Cordes,

Sunnyvale

A

That it can.

Q

Allowing jaywalking is a bad, bad idea. Making it a judgment call means there will be drivers and pedestrians who make bad judgments. It opens up a new way for pedestrians to get struck, and opens it up for law enforcement to judge who is crossing safely.

— Kevin Cunningham,

Foster City

A

Now on to the proposal to permit bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.

Q

As a bicyclist, I often go through stop signs safely. Most bicyclists do, and the law should make it clear to motorists that it's expected and not unsafe.

Whether in the car or on the bike, I work hard to treat jaywalkers with respect. I believe we wrongly give cars priority. People should come first.

— Steve Williams, Venice

A Many agree with you. Q

Should jaywalking become legal? It makes me anxious when I see it in my neighborhood in Cupertino near DeAnza College and Target. People are constantly jaywalking, even though there are plenty of excellent crosswalks, including a specially lit one near the Quinlan Community Center and Whole Foods area on Stelling.

However, having seen a body coming down in the air after hearing a thud when a jaywalker was hit, I will never be an advocate for legal jaywalking. After my experiences with cars, bikes and pedestrians, legislating stupid shouldn't be done. — Helena Herrerra, Cupertino