"...snow covered road markings in the winter photos makes convictions nearly impossible. The new technology employs an infra red system which is able to eliminate that hurdle."

Wonder where I could get a pair of glasses like that? Giving everyone special glasses would also eliminate the need to repaint the highway lines every year as well and end the confusion of where the cars should be travelling amid all the rubble.

Wait! With rose coloured glasses like those on I will never be able to see the pot holes in the road! Bang! I just lost a wheel... Grrr..

It is about time, hope they catch all the logging and chip trucks. I understand they cannot stop on a dime, but they know when they are approaching an intersection and they have time to slow down. The same for the cars.

Money collector for the Olympics photo radar will be back soon.

They think it wiil make things safer, all you'll get is drivers slamming on the brakes sliding through the intersections anyway. Yes a good thing to have in the north. A cop makes a U turn to give someone a ticket and causes a five car accident.

I am happy to see the cameras are coming.

I still say they should also put more warning lights at the HWY 16 / Domano intersection.

It makes no sense to me that coming into PG from Vanderhoof has the 'prepare to stop if lights flashing' warning system, but going up the hill towards walmart does not.

It could only help things. Does anyone else agree?

"It is about time, hope they catch all the logging and chip trucks."

Going by past observations I am tempted to say that commercial vehicles have nothing to fear.

I agree the warning lights are important. If drivers don't like them then they should not be driving, leave home a little earlier to get that Timmy's coffee.

A different report of this piece of news quoted van Dongen saying these cameras will cost $20,000,000. This much money could hire quite a few policemen for quite a few years. A policeman standing at an intersection will reduce the accident rate by at least 6%. I suspect more like 60%, but that is speculation. The powers that be would rather spend money on machines (likely built offshore) than spend money on people. I thought the purpose of governments is to serve people.

Most of the accidents at 16 and Domano are caused at the left turn onto Domano. If a vehicle is making a left onto Domano and another making a left onto Tyner and is a large vehicle, there is a very bad blind spot because of the curve west of the intersection.
I also agree with Dan. warning lights are needed when going west on 16. Its a crap shoot when the lights are going to change.
What lines, there are no lines 5 months of the year. Vehicles going east have no idea what lane to be in add to the fact vehicles coming out of the mall and the right turn lane into Canadian Tire all close to the intersection.

Who ever designed that intersection must of been on some good sh**.

Hello highways dept. knock knock anyone home!

"still say they should also put more warning lights at the HWY 16 / Domano intersection. It makes no sense to me that coming into PG from Vanderhoof has the 'prepare to stop if lights flashing' warning system, but going up the hill towards walmart does not. It could only help things. Does anyone else agree?"

YES YES and YES. I agree 300%. In fact, I say put the warning lights at every high volume intersection, such as 16 and 97 for example. They are a big help, especially during winter when you get caught in that "neutral zone" and the roads aren't 100%. Any sort of passive technology that can be employed to help drivers is a no brainer IMHO.

Until the powers that be wake up and start building overpasses at major intersections, we can expect the collisions to continue. Now we have something else to expect, more fines.
If they did not try and B.S. us by saying that these cameras are going to save lives, I could almost go along with the idea. The cameras are there to create revenue, that's all.
metalman.

Very good point on the overpasses metalman. They would benefit safety and improve traffic flow at the same time.

As for the red light cams (and even photo radar to some extent), I don't have too much of an issue with them. I'd rather see cops working to get criminals off the streets as opposed to sitting at a speed trap. If technology can handle the run of the mill traffic stuff, let's do that and put more bodies onto serious crime stuff.

As an aside, I'd love to see permanent photo radar sent up at every school zone in town and make the ticket $1,000 a pop. The way some of the wingnuts in this town drive through those is simply ridiculous. If the penalty is high enough they will slow down . . .

Or why not have turn signals like at so many other intersections where you can only turn when the arrow is on.

They have them at 15th/Oskpika, Hwy16/Hwy97, along Hwy97 at 5th, 10, 15th, 22nd.

Sure they take longer and are annoying that way, but overall they seem safer since traffic does not cross the other directions path.

Posted by: dan on March 7 2009 7:43 AM
I am happy to see the cameras are coming.

I still say they should also put more warning lights at the HWY 16 / Domano intersection.

It makes no sense to me that coming into PG from Vanderhoof has the 'prepare to stop if lights flashing' warning system, but going up the hill towards walmart does not.

It could only help things. Does anyone else agree?"

It's very simple Dan.
The reason there are warning lights coming down the hill is because they were put there for all the heavy trucks that come down the hill. Pretty simple reason huh?

We have been over this warning light issue over and over and over here and still people just don't understand that you can have all the frikken warning lights in the world at every intersection and it won't make a bit of difference.
Everyone is taught as part of getting their licence that lights change and you need to PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DRIVING.

I know, lets have warning lights for the warning lights.
Maybe that will make people pay attention while driving.

If that doesn't work then we should install warning lights for the warning lights for the warning lights.

What is it exactly that people think they need warning lights for everything?

Perhaps get warning lights installed in your brains that taze you with 50,000 volts when your not paying attention to your driving.
By jeez that will make you pay attention huh.

Some people just don't get it.

Posted by: Action247 on March 7 2009 7:21 AM
It is about time, hope they catch all the logging and chip trucks. I understand they cannot stop on a dime, but they know when they are approaching an intersection and they have time to slow down. The same for the cars."

You obviously don't get it do you?

If you don't mention the extension of Ospika at the top of the hill to the highway, I won't. Still in the "NEW" ten year plan? A few drug dealers with shovels there could do wonders. Maybe.

fight it. you can get off ANY ticket. They'll at least cut the fine in half just for showing up.

how about timers by the lights displaying how much time left before the light changes

"While red light camera technology is in use in Prince George, the current system can only be used in the late spring and summer, as snow covered road markings in the winter photos makes convictions nearly impossible."

How about snow covered license plates?

"how about timers by the lights displaying how much time left before the light changes"

How about radar such as is used on those reader boards they use on the shoulder sometimes to show what speed you are going. Radar could be used to indicate whether you are still in a safe breaking distance with the speed you are going and the distance from your car to the crosswlak part of the intersection.

Let's use some 21st century technology in the 21st century.

lostfaith, nobody is suggesting that drivers shouldn't still use their head or pay attention but if there is technology available that could be used to assist drivers, why the heck shouldn't we use it?

Should we also turf seatbelts because afterall, if people just paid attention there would be no accidents? What about the big trucks you speak of? Shouldn't these "professional drivers" be so much better than everyone else at anticipating and reacting to condtions that they don't need the warning lights?

$20 Million for this yet they can't even figure out how to program the lights to begin with... 16 and Ferry changes with no warning and a quick change with no other cars triggering the light... what is up with that.

That kind of light programing by the highways department I bet will cause 6% more accidents time five. So all this new camera will do is make it a four fold increase in accidents, rather than a five fold increase. One bureaucratic empire doesn't know what the other one is doing....

I agree that some lights like Peden Hill and also Domano should be over passes to take out a bit of hill grade, the stop light at the start of the hill, and allow for increase traffic volume while keeping the flow of traffic moving.

I am driving down the road, I have two dead bodies in the trunk of my car. I am also transporting 100 lbs of BC Bud. I have more cocaine in my possesion than most of Prince George can consume in a year. I have a number of illegal weapons, and the bullets they require.

AND, I get a ticket in the mail, with a picture of my licence plate! Yep, lets get lazy on crime!! Get a damn grip everyone!! My point, it was proved in recent years. There has been several vehicles stopped for speeding, and guess what??? They have found lots of drugs. Lots and lots of drugs!!

We have had these intersection cameras here in Prince George for years....
Now have they been operating could be a good question....

15th and Ospika
15th and Central
highway 16 and Tyner Blvd.....

Posted by: gamblor on March 7 2009 6:45 PM
fight it. you can get off ANY ticket. They'll at least cut the fine in half just for showing up."

Yup and then you lose wages for showing up to fight it.

Posted by: NMG on March 7 2009 9:15 PM
lostfaith, nobody is suggesting that drivers shouldn't still use their head or pay attention but if there is technology available that could be used to assist drivers, why the heck shouldn't we use it?

Should we also turf seatbelts because afterall, if people just paid attention there would be no accidents? What about the big trucks you speak of? Shouldn't these "professional drivers" be so much better than everyone else at anticipating and reacting to condtions that they don't need the warning lights?"

Why shouldn't we use any technology available you say?
Because everyone that has a licence is also supposed to have a brain. If you use your brains while driving like you are supposed to then the taxpayers in this province would have a bit more in their pockets at the end of the day.

Do you enjoy working your ass off for the govt? I don't.
I also disagree with having to pay out of my pocket for the benefit of people that shouldn't have a licence in the first place.
Pay attention to your driving and all will be fine.
Unfortunately there are many drivers that don't understand the concept and they are usually the ones that bitch and whine about not having enough signs to tell them how to drive.

NMG you obviously don't understand why the warning lights are there for the truckers coming down the HILL around the CORNER where they can't see what the light is doing until they are pretty much on top of it.
You are not a professional driver and don't understand and thats ok.

You wrote..."Should we also turf seatbelts because afterall, if people just paid attention there would be no accidents? What about the big trucks you speak of? Shouldn't these "professional drivers" be so much better than everyone else at anticipating and reacting to condtions that they don't need the warning lights?"

Thats absolutely ridiculous.

Posted by: gus on March 7 2009 7:23 PM
"how about timers by the lights displaying how much time left before the light changes"

How about radar such as is used on those reader boards they use on the shoulder sometimes to show what speed you are going. Radar could be used to indicate whether you are still in a safe breaking distance with the speed you are going and the distance from your car to the crosswlak part of the intersection.

Let's use some 21st century technology in the 21st century."

How about using your brains Gus!

Posted by: Eagleone on March 8 2009 7:17 AM
$20 Million for this yet they can't even figure out how to program the lights to begin with... 16 and Ferry changes with no warning and a quick change with no other cars triggering the light... what is up with that."

With no warning you say.

Does the light change from green to red or is there a yellow light in between them that warns drivers that the light will soon be red? OMG man.

You also wrote..."I agree that some lights like Peden Hill and also Domano should be over passes to take out a bit of hill grade, the stop light at the start of the hill, and allow for increase traffic volume while keeping the flow of traffic moving."

How exactly is having an overpass going to reduce the grade of Peden Hill???
Were you drinking when you wrote this statement?



Seems to me

"NMG you obviously don't understand why the warning lights are there for the truckers coming down the HILL around the CORNER where they can't see what the light is doing until they are pretty much on top of it"

Actually I understand that perfectly well. I think you are missing my point and that is that if we can utilize technology to assist drivers, we should. We've done it with seat belts, better tires, ABS and traction control and there is no reason that we can't do it with the design of our road and traffic systems.

Seriously though, are you honestly suggesting that the warning lights approaching 16 and Domano/Tyner and the ones on Peden Hill DO NOT benefit drivers, other than those driving heavy trucks? Now THAT would be a preposterous statement if I've ever heard one.

As an aside, I have an ever better solution for you that would be even cheaper than warning lights and hence would mean you would have to work your ass off even less for the govt. Just make the speed limit for heavy traffic 20-30 km/h BELOW the posted speed limit when inside city limits and then you won't need the warning lights to help you come to a safe stop because your speed will be such that you could react to the light changes without the warning.

You know if all you people would just learn to drive to the speed limit posted an or the road conditions there would be no need for such drivel thats posted here.
Shut off your cell phones and pay attention to whats going on around and ahead of you for christsake.I drive thru the lights at Domanoe up to 8 times per day each way, with no problems stopping for the lights, While I am waiting for the light to change it never ceases to amaze me at the people that are texing and yakking on their cell phones. They are contributing to what makes it the most unsafe intersection in Prince George.
And ( NGM)
Maybe you should look at your own driveing habits before you start pointing fingers.

"And ( NGM) Maybe you should look at your own driveing habits before you start pointing fingers"

Given that I haven't pointed a finer at anyone, perhaps you should read peoples comments before posting :)

Oh and btw, my driving record would verify that there is nothing wrong with my habits . . .

Lostfaith I don't get your point... you make no sense to me....

I think I understand what Eagleone means by reducing the grade with an overpass; the present crossings would remain at the existing grade therefore the overpasses would obviously have to be 25 to 30 feet higher, so the approach to an underpass would have to begin quite a ways before the overpass, in effect flattening the grade. It would quite noticable on Peden hill, as the Northbound downhill lanes are fairly steep, and there is not much flat area between Cowart and the base of the hill.
metalman.

NMG writes..."
As an aside, I have an ever better solution for you that would be even cheaper than warning lights and hence would mean you would have to work your ass off even less for the govt. Just make the speed limit for heavy traffic 20-30 km/h BELOW the posted speed limit when inside city limits and then you won't need the warning lights to help you come to a safe stop because your speed will be such that you could react to the light changes without the warning."

Again, thats absolutely ridiculous.

Posted by: Eagleone on March 9 2009 5:45 AM
Lostfaith I don't get your point... you make no sense to me...."

OMFG man, one day you try to come across
as if you're a rocket scientist then the next day like your a preschooler.

Reread your own statements and ask your preschool teacher what you meant when you posted them.
Then feel free to repost any questions you may have.

"Again, thats absolutely ridiculous"

It's about as ridiculous as suggesting that warning lights are not beneficial to "regular" drivers :)

Warning lights only benefit those that don't pay attention while driving.

"Warning lights only benefit those that don't pay attention while driving"

Warning lights provide yet another piece of information to the driver as to what is hapenning on the road ahead of them. More information is better, even for an attentive driver.

But even if you believe that they serve no benefit to attentive drivers (which defies logic btw), you seem to be conceding that they do provide a benefit to drivers who are not paying attention. Would it not then be a good thing to have more of them out there? If a simple flashing light gets someone to pay attention to a changing light when they otherwise wouldn't have, how exactly is that a bad thing?