“Hit-And-Run” Victim Devises Camera Trap For Motorist (Dec, 1936)

This is the first example I’ve seen of a red-light camera.

“Hit-And-Run” Victim Devises Camera Trap For Motorists

AN AUTO-FLASH device designed to snap photos of autos that run past red lights, into safety zones, and past stop streets, has been invented by William Running, a Detroit, Mich., electrician. A personal experience as a “hit-and-run” victim caused him to design the device.

For safety zones, the machine consists of a lighted sign set in the pavement which depresses when an auto passes over it. This actuates a camera set up on the curb so that it snaps a photo of the rear license plates of the offending auto.

At intersections and stop streets, a special trip set in the pavement actuates a camera when the offending car passes a red light, or stop sign, without stopping. Camera also records the time of violation so that the photographic record can be used as evidence in court.

Related posts:

1. CAMERA ON GUN TO TRAP CROOKS (Jul, 1934)
2. Camera Fan Lays Trap for Thief (Jul, 1940)
3. Camera Trap Catches Unusual Poses of Smaller Forms of Wild Life (Jan, 1933)
4. Are you Driving a Pleasure Car or Death Trap? (Sep, 1934)
5. News Photographers’ Auto Is an Oversized Camera (Mar, 1922)