[Mpls] A Real Minneapolis Problem

[Michael Atherton]

Terrell Brown wrote: 

>  [TB]  The long established local custom in Minneapolis is 
>  that you can get 3 cars through after the light turns red.  
>  That is likely why there is a delay from the light turning 
>  red until the cross street turns green; it protects those 
>  who are not familiar with local custom from entering a 
>  dangerous intersection.

This is insane! I hope that Mr. Brown is being satiric, but
I have to admit that his explanation corresponds to my perceptions.  
If true, red light cameras will go a long way to solving the city's 
financial problems.  If you assume a light changes every two
minutes and tickets cost $200 then over the course of a downtown
workday one camera could generate $1,500,000 (a little optimistic,
but even $10,000 a day would be great).  I'm all for it.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park