I just got a red light camera ticket, but...

[FerretGamer]

As my father-in-law (a surgeon) says motorcyclists = organ donors.

[Ziggy]

Yo Zigzag,

When I was a student driver, and when the Ford Probe was the coolest car on the market , 5-7 seconds was a safe distance (around 8 if behind a motorcycle).

My defensive driving course said 3 seconds, and IIRC, that's what it officially was when I took my permit test (about 10 years ago). 3 seconds is actually a pretty far distance when you're doing normal driving speed (45-55 MPH). I never counted, but I probably give something like 5-7 seconds when doing 70+ on the expressway. I really don't like tailgating myself. But I'm in NY, tailgating means, "You're going slower than I want to, can you please speed up or get out of my way?" The older generation is aware of this unwritten rule, but the cell phone generation isn't.

There was an All State commercial where they said 2 seconds was safe. You know the black guy that says, "That's All State's stand. Are you in good hands?" In the commercial, two cars passed him. After the first car he counts, "One Mississippi, two Mississippi," saying two Mississippi as the second car passes. And then goes on to talk about safe driving habits. I don't know where they got two seconds from, but I never heard of that. They're a big car insurance company though, and I'm sure they wouldn't put out false info like safe driving distance.

But all that aside, yeah, the distance changes under different circumstances. Like if it's raining, or if you're behind a motorcycle.

[Hobie-wan]

Mpre than 2 seconds space often means someone will just jump in anyway. Yes you want to be safe, but it's ridiculous when people will just keep jumping in front.

As my father-in-law (a surgeon) says motorcyclists = organ donors.

The ones without helmets in a tank top, shorts, and maybe even flip flops, for sure.

[Luke]

... tank top, shorts, and maybe even flip flops, for sure.

My Pops, and many bikers have the saying "When you are outside of the cage you need a second skin". I couldn't agree more as that would seem to be common sense.

Protective gear doesn't make you a Sally, it shows that you're smart. I'd guesstimate that 99% of bikers would agree with my assessment.

[SpaceBooger]

Isnt a malfunctioning light a 4 way stop? I know when the power goes out it becomes a 4 way stop, dont see why it would be different if it stopped working correctly.

This was my first thought too.
I would do what Luke said and maybe mention this to show that you were considering what the right course of action was. If you do this you may get a reduced fee since you didn't blatantly run it.

[KalessinDB]

But I'm in NY, tailgating means, "You're going slower than I want to, can you please speed up or get out of my way?" The older generation is aware of this unwritten rule, but the cell phone generation isn't.

A variation on this is my biggest pet peeve while driving. Or at least one of my biggest:

If there is someone behind you, and no one to the right of you, you are in the wrong lane. I don't care how fast you think you're going, I don't care if you're well over the speed limit. If there is someone behind you and no one to the right of you, get to the right. Left lane is for passing, you are not supposed to be in the left lane unless you're actively engaged in passing.

[Luke]

Left lane is for passing, you are not supposed to be in the left lane unless you're actively engaged in passing.

Thank God some cities give tickets for passing on the right.

And if any of you guys travel PLEASE stay on the right side of moving sidewalks, escalators, and when someone says "On your left" kindly get out of the way.

[KalessinDB]

Thank God some cities give tickets for passing on the right.

I totally disagree -- I have been forced to pass on the right when the person in the left lane has refused to move to the right where they belong. There are some people who just will not move over - whether I'm following at a safe 3-second distance or at a completely unsafe tailgating distance (because I'll admit to doing both, to try to get them to take the hint). At that point, if the right lane is free and clear, I do what I must to get around the jackwagon.

[Ziggy]

Isnt a malfunctioning light a 4 way stop? I know when the power goes out it becomes a 4 way stop, dont see why it would be different if it stopped working correctly.

This was my first thought too.
I would do what Luke said and maybe mention this to show that you were considering what the right course of action was. If you do this you may get a reduced fee since you didn't blatantly run it.

But again, the citation made it perfectly clear that you can not plead to a lesser charge or have the fine reduced. You're either guilty or not guilty, no in between.

Thank God some cities give tickets for passing on the right.

Speaking of that, we have a new law here. It might be a year or two old, come to think of it. If an emergency vehicle is on the shoulder and you're in the right lane, you have to switch lanes (if possible) before passing it. It's usually a cop with some one pulled over, you have to switch lanes before passing them.

Thank God some cities give tickets for passing on the right.

I totally disagree -- I have been forced to pass on the right when the person in the left lane has refused to move to the right where they belong. There are some people who just will not move over - whether I'm following at a safe 3-second distance or at a completely unsafe tailgating distance (because I'll admit to doing both, to try to get them to take the hint). At that point, if the right lane is free and clear, I do what I must to get around the jackwagon.

Yup, sounds like typical LI driving to me.

[KalessinDB]

Yup, sounds like typical LI driving to me.

I'm upstate, but y'know.