Q In a recent column, there was a long discussion by a young lady who was caught by a red-light camera. She admitted to not paying attention to what was going on while driving. It sounded like most of her time was spent tuning her car’s radio. The worst thing she said was that the cameras are to raise revenue. This is patently false. The reason for red-light cameras is to try to get people from being a safety risk to others. Cameras are placed where there is a history of people disobeying the law. I don’t care what kind of justification is used to excuse their lawless behavior. I want people to stop when they should so I don’t have to dodge their 3,000-pound machines. Act like an adult on the road.

Ralph Durham

Sunnyvale

A Changes may be coming on the use of red-light cameras. Senate Bill 29, which would establish standards for the installation and operation of cameras and make it easier to challenge tickets, passed Monday by a 36-0 vote in the Senate. The bill, written by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, would:

The Department of Finance opposes this bill, saying it would make the installation and operation of cameras more cumbersome for local agencies, and is likely to result in their reduced or discontinued use. This could reduce annual revenues to the state and local jurisdictions by $140 million annually.

Go to www.senatorsimitian.com/entry/sb_0029_red_light_cameras for more information on SB 29.

Q I was driving on Tantau Avenue in Cupertino with my 13-year-old in the back seat, who was not wearing a seat belt. The cops gave me a whopping $490 ticket. This is too much for me to afford and it is like I am being tortured. Is this huge amount normal for a passenger in a back seat not wearing a seat belt?

P. Suresh

A It is if the person is a minor younger than 16. A seat-belt ticket generally will start at $140 for an adult, but for a minor the fine is closer to $500. Everyone must buckle up. Too many people think sitting in the back of a vehicle offers extra protection. It does not.

Q I’m going through the stages of grieving — anger, denial, acceptance — over losing my precious Prius commuter-lane perk on July 1. A couple of weeks ago was tough: There was a newspaper story about the program ending, and the next day I got my official “Dear John” letter from the DMV. But I’m not quite ready to give up. You pointed out that plug-in hybrids will be eligible for new green stickers, which become available on Jan. 1 and run through 2015. In addition to factory-built Prius plug-in hybrids, due early next year, would DMV give these green stickers to an existing Prius converted into a plug-in hybrid by adding extra batteries? There are a number of outfits offering Prius plug-in conversions (www.calcars.org/howtoget.html). Could one of these companies get my Prius back into the commuter lane next year?

Mike Langberg

A Sorry, no. Converted plug-ins are not eligible for new carpool stickers.

Q Dang. Seems unfair. Oh well, I got five great years of zipping past all the gas guzzlers.

Mike Langberg

A That is the proper attitude.

Q Prius drivers were slow enough in the carpool lanes, so I’m not looking forward to finding out how slowly they can putt along in the regular ones.

Scott Choe

Atherton

A Slow? I often gets complaints that we drive too fast.

Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat at noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Contact him at mrroadshow@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5335.