Letters

Red-light cameras

I support traffic safety cameras and oppose bills being considered by the Legislature to eliminate their use.

As a nurse and an injury prevention/trauma outreach coordinator for a level 1 trauma center, I know that motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 reason people are admitted to our facility.

In the event of a collision, innocent bystanders and passengers are put at serious risk of injury or death. Tragedies like these are seen every day at our trauma center and many could have been avoided.

Traffic safety cameras are a proven deterrent to red light running, which in turn reduces the number of collisions, injuries and death. The threat of a citation encourages drivers to think twice — and potentially avoid a deadly crash — when approaching a red light.

I urge the continued use of these cameras as an effective prevention tool to reduce reckless driving on our roads.

— Mary Ann Contreras,

Fort Worth

In a March 18 story, “Red lights make streets safer, official says,” Alonzo Linan, assistant director of transportation and public works for Fort Worth, proclaimed that citations are issued only for right-on-red turns at a speed of more than 10 mph.

I found the records for a 2011 citation that I received and the speed is listed as 10 mph. Review of the tape clearly showed my car was moving at less than 10 mph.

I was shocked. I viewed the video and thought it was a mistake. I stopped. Family members viewed the video and agreed that I stopped.

Then we zoomed in and slowed the video.

Truly, the body of car appeared to stop. I felt that as the driver, but the wheels were moving very, very slowly. So I paid the $75.

In 2013, it happened again at a different intersection. Same type of video. First viewing, my car appears to stop. Slow motion shows the car wheels were turning very, very slowly. I paid another $75.

Both times, my right-on-red was clearly under 10 mph, according to the video. Linan misrepresented the application of the law.

— Terri Andrews, Fort Worth

At first I was for doing away with red-light cameras. Then I received a letter and watched a video of my daughter running a red light in her compact car.

I never would have known she ran the red light without the camera.

The video was emphatic and she was lucky to not be seriously injured or hurting another driver.

Voters may want to rethink stopping the use of red light cameras.

— Fred Gregory, Arlington

A flood of memories

Thanks to Punch Shaw for his Monday review of the play Our Town, which prompted memories of my sister, Ann Barham Pugh, who died just a few days ago.

Ann had me play a part in Our Town when it was staged at the First Methodist Church in Fort Worth in the 1940s.

Ann called a few days before she died to ask if I remembered her casting me in My Sister Eileen, which was staged in the old administration building at TCU.

Despite being very ill she managed to laugh about that experience.

The review brought memories of Ann and her many accomplishments in acting, writing, directing teaching and being a “mover” in getting Casa Mañana rebuilt and producing shows again. And a memory of her being “boss lady” during Ranch Week at TCU and getting Gene Autry to lead the parade in downtown Fort Worth.

— Ed Barham, Fort Worth

On the money

Only presidents and Founding Fathers on the front of our paper currency.

That has been the tradition and should remain so.

To honor other Americans, male or female, who have made significant contributions to our nation, I suggest following the example of the British pound, Canadian dollar and French franc.

Place the bust portrait of these significant others on the backs of the bills. Preferably not including actors, celebrities or minor musicians of dubious talent.

But I leave it to the secretary of the Treasury to work out the details of the selection mechanism and process.

— Paul R. Schattman, Arlington

Not in Dallas

I was watching the Academy of Country Music Awards last Sunday on KTVT/Channel 11, the CBS station, and I enjoyed it.

However, could someone tell those folks that AT&T stadium is in Arlington, in Tarrant County — which is not Dallas.

That may be petty, but whatever!

— Gary Brown, Benbrook

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Letters."