Does this mean that people aren't complaining about the bad driving in other parts of Menlo? I guess I need to make some phone calls.

People who don't pay fines should have there licenses suspended. People who continue to drive, even though they have a suspended license, need to have their cars taken away. If we don't do this, then suspending a license becomes meaningless.

If poverty is an issue, we should put together appropriate payment systems so there is no excuse in not paying fines.

The bigger question you both raise is whether precisely obeying driving rules(and parking for that matter)is engendered by self-preservation instincts and altruism, or fear of punitive penalties. The penalties argument only works up to a point- whether the red-light ticket is $100 or $500 (which it is now) I'll bet makes no statistical difference in how many people go late through a red light. So the extra cash only serves interests of profit or a mis-directed punitive urge of the powers that be.

Thankfully Sacramento is looking at this problem of over-punishment, and shame on those who wag their disapproving finger at the single-mom house cleaner in Redwood City who's 1985 Toyota is impounded because of a few $3000 (adjusted for income disparity) parking tickets.

What this really points to for me is the ridiculously high fees and impound costs that are piled onto these situations. It's clearly a matter of greedy local governments (fees added to citations that bear virtually no relevance to costs which "FEES" charged by government are supposed to.

The second even more ridiculous part are the impound fees. This are clearly out of control and should be closely regulated by a responsible authority (that probably excludes most government entities)Seriously - what does it cost to have an impound area? Space for 10 vehicles at 60 dollars a day could yield a gross income of $18,000. What type of zoning is needed? I think I'll go into the business - maybe charge just $30 per day with a $10 adder for indoor storage.

Really - any costs that exceed the cost of local parking lots are just gouging - that is supported by the local authority - perhaps for a piece of the action?

stan:

you're forgetting you have to own tow trucks, pay city/county fees and insurance and who knows what other municipal fees. Not so cheap. If it was such a slam dunk lots of people would be doing it. They aren't are they?

No one blinks when politicians fund their pet projects with fees.

Until they get a 'failure to completely stop on a red for a right hand turn' (which you ALL do eventually...)

And find out his pet project is funded by a $500 "fee". And if you are poor, or screw up the reply date, you are hosed - add another $500.

CHANGE IT. Quit funding programs from "fees" and penalties. The conflict of interest is too great.

Too regressive.

mathew:

regressive, yes. Local politicians aren't funding things off red light cameras, the state is. About 90% of fees from traffic tickets go to the state, not local jurisdictions. Red light cameras are unconstitutional and if you get a red light camera ticket there are a variety of ways in which you can get it dismissed.

"People who don't pay fines should have there licenses suspended. People who continue to drive, even though they have a suspended license, need to have their cars taken away. If we don't do this, then suspending a license becomes meaningless."

Kind of meaningless like giving illegal immigrants drivers licenses?? Giving them a license validates their breaking the law and coming here illegally. Taking care of their children and schooling them and paying their medical costs overwhelms our schools and hospitals and only serves to encourage others to do the same. How can you balance a state budget when you can't control (or won't) undocumented illegal immigration??? It's crazy nonsense. Do you run your household without ever considering your own checking account? Turning a blind eye to illegal immigrants working here does the same thing.

At the very least stop calling it illegal and let EVERYONE in if you won't enforce the dank laws. (Also expect our state and federal budgets to go when more to heck.)