Speed photo enforcement revolt

[Clint]

Let me put it simply: You're subconsciously motivated to drive a certain speed on a certain road and whether or not there is a sign there generally makes little to no difference. Most people naturally make the same judgement and drive around this speed. This is averaged out and the speed limit is set at whatever the 85th percentile of everyone is.

The speed limits are unrealistically low in some places and just because it's "the law" doesn't mean it's rational or fair. They're setting up people to be ticketed and if you don't believe that then tell me the rationale behind it. Many studies have shown that lower speed limits and slower drivers cause more accidents than the average speed (85th percentile.) It's not for safety and I have a hard time swallowing "it's the law" as an excuse when it's not making anyone safer. Edit: Especially when folks are making money off of this hand over fist.

They're about as fair as a down hill speed trap.

It really doesn't matter whether or not YOU think a posted sign is fair, dude! If it says 35, and you are going 36 or more, you are violating the law...Stop crying, and obey the speed limit. If you do, then you have absoloutely NOTHING to worry about! No worries of "the man holding you down" or "the camera is there to steal my money"...Nada.
Be responsible, obey the limits...If caught, pay up like you should.

 

[Greg]

I feel that my questioning of the actual speed takers involved here is being ignored. Am I correct in stating that it's not the actual police here that are taking the readings? Because if so, all arguments are null, as we pay the police to enforce speed limits, and not private contractors, period.

 

[WMGF]

It really doesn't matter whether or not YOU think a posted sign is fair, dude! If it says 35, and you are going 36 or more, you are violating the law...Stop crying, and obey the speed limit. If you do, then you have absoloutely NOTHING to worry about! No worries of "the man holding you down" or "the camera is there to steal my money"...Nada.
Be responsible, obey the limits...If caught, pay up like you should.

...and what about the responsibility of the city to make safe speed limits? From where I'm sitting they're setting speed limits unrealistically low in order to make money and in the process are causing accidents. If they set the speed limits where they should be I wouldn't be violating the law in the first place. Being responsible on some roads can actually be very irresponsible, the highways are an example of this. People who go 65 on a free way in California are more likely to cause an accident than someone going with the flow of traffic. If violating the law is keeping people out of accidents then that needs to be fixed. Most people drive faster than posted speed limits, most CHP in California don't ticket for going 5 or 10 over, if this is the case then why isn't the speed limit set 5 or 10 higher?

Edit: An example of this is a rural road a few miles from my house. The road goes from 55 to 35 with little to no rhyme or reason and no one actually slows down (because there's nothing even there) unless you're from out of town. If everyone is doing 55 or above through this area then 35 is nowhere near where the limit should be but the city isn't going to change it because they can put a car out there and rake in money.

But! I think we just we're just going to disagree on this which is cool.

Thanks for being civil.

 

[Clint]

...and what about the responsibility of the city to make safe speed limits? From where I'm sitting they're setting speed limits unrealistically low in order to make money and in the process are causing accidents. If they set the speed limits where they should be I wouldn't be violating the law in the first place. Being responsible on some roads can actually be very irresponsible, the highways are an example of this. People who go 65 on a free way in California are more likely to cause an accident than someone going with the flow of traffic. If violating the law is keeping people out of accidents then that needs to be fixed. Most people drive faster than posted speed limits, most CHP in California don't ticket for going 5 or 10 over, if this is the case then why isn't the speed limit set 5 or 10 higher?

Edit: An example of this is a rural road a few miles from my house. The road goes from 55 to 35 with little to no rhyme or reason and no one actually slows down (because there's nothing even there) unless you're from out of town. If everyone is doing 55 or above through this area then 35 is nowhere near where the limit should be but the city isn't going to change it because they can put a car out there and rake in money.

But! I think we just we're just going to disagree on this which is cool.

Thanks for being civil.

Great topic.

I agree that speed limits could be higher (or lower) in some cases, but saying "If they set the speed limits where they should be I wouldn't be violating the law in the first place" is showing total denial, and complete irresponsibility for the law.

Don't get me wrong...I am NOT, by any means the guy who goes 1 mile under every posted speed and comes to a complete stop at every stop sign...I am way too impatient for that. BUT, I will not make any excuse whatsoever for failing to do what I am supposed to do when behind the wheel; and paying the consequences when caught. You seem to think that (for whatever reasons) you are above the rest of us and can't be bothered to do so.

 

[Clint]

I feel that my questioning of the actual speed takers involved here is being ignored. Am I correct in stating that it's not the actual police here that are taking the readings? Because if so, all arguments are null, as we pay the police to enforce speed limits, and not private contractors, period.

Scenario 1: You pay your State/local taxes, and part of it goes into the police department's payroll fund.

Scenario 2: You pay your State/local taxes, and part of it goes to pay a contractor who has set up and/or is managing the traffic cameras.

What's the difference?

You pay your taxes, the government uses the funds to enforce the law in both scenarios.

 

[Northshore04]

There's also been a guy who wears a mask while driving. He runs the traffic cam lights and no one can prove it's him driving. Pretty funny if you ask me. I hate those traffic cams.

 

[Danilo]

Who speeds?

1995 Toyota Supra.... the car looks fast when it's parked! How am I supposed to deny it?
I've gotten 7 tickets in this car (8 moths ownership)
before this car, I had 2 tickets in 7 year...

 

[Gordy]

that sucks... its pretty funny though how some crazy people put post it notes over them or silly string

 

[WMGF]

Great topic.

I agree that speed limits could be higher (or lower) in some cases, but saying "If they set the speed limits where they should be I wouldn't be violating the law in the first place" is showing total denial, and complete irresponsibility for the law.

Don't get me wrong...I am NOT, by any means the guy who goes 1 mile under every posted speed and comes to a complete stop at every stop sign...I am way too impatient for that. BUT, I will not make any excuse whatsoever for failing to do what I am supposed to do when behind the wheel; and paying the consequences when caught. You seem to think that (for whatever reasons) you are above the rest of us and can't be bothered to do so.

Oh no, I'm bound to get a ticket and when I do I'll pay up. A law is a law and violating laws have consequences that you have to live with... I'd just like to see those laws change.

 

[indyrob]

No speeding tickets in 20 years. I could care less if there was a camera or not in my hood.

I learned early that my money should be mine and I figure I already give enough to the state through income tax and again through sales tax, sin tax and gas tax. Best way to beat it is to not speed.

 

[CWS]

Best way to beat it is to not speed.

Quote of the week! :tiphat:

 

[njstone]

The state of MN installed these everywhere ... and then the State Supreme Court declared them an unconstitutional violation of privacy! Now they are just sitting there, inactive--total waste of taxpayer money.

 

[njstone]

1995 Toyota Supra.... the car looks fast when it's parked! How am I supposed to deny it?
I've gotten 7 tickets in this car (8 moths ownership)
before this car, I had 2 tickets in 7 year...

That's totally true! Police absolutely profile people by the cars they drive. My wife had never received a speeding ticket in her life, and has had 3 I think since driving her Miata with OUT OF STATE PLATES (another way they profile).

 

[Phi Delt]

And red cars get picked on as well, Nate.

 

[Alwayslit]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV3nn_de2k"]YouTube- Sammy Hagar - I Can't Drive 55[/ame].....thought this covers some sentiments.....LOL

 

[Chas]

It's the old human against the automaton game - where's the fun in tossing a machine - not fair in my book. Now, Man against Man - that's the ticket!

Council put up onena them machines at the fourup back in The Alice --- whole thing disappeared one night - Ha! - Reckon we'll never know who took that one - but down at the local there's a new "take your own photo machine" over in the corner that bears a strong resemblance to that old "Red Light Machine" Just a fair observation ~:0)

 

[Greg]

Scenario 1: You pay your State/local taxes, and part of it goes into the police department's payroll fund.

Scenario 2: You pay your State/local taxes, and part of it goes to pay a contractor who has set up and/or is managing the traffic cameras.

What's the difference?

You pay your taxes, the government uses the funds to enforce the law in both scenarios.

It's called a conflict of interest.

I agree, people shouldn't speed, but when you have a private company monitoring these devices, and not official law enforcement, I don't trust them, and I believe that it just might be unconstitutional.

However, I'm not exactly sure who's monitoring these cameras, maybe someone else could answer this. In Maryland, it's private, and I believe DC also.

 

[Phiberglass]

Time to knock these out with a .50 cal

 

[Clint]

It's called a conflict of interest.

I agree, people shouldn't speed, but when you have a private company monitoring these devices, and not official law enforcement, I don't trust them, and I believe that it just might be unconstitutional.

However, I'm not exactly sure who's monitoring these cameras, maybe someone else could answer this. In Maryland, it's private, and I believe DC also.

If it's unconstitutional, then yes, that's bad.....Show me the proof.

With all respect, how is this a conflict of interest? The interest or goal is to keep people from speeding. Your tax dollars are spent as the government sees fit....Sometimes you have a say (via Petitions, voting/ballot initiatives, etc.), and sometimes you don't.

The reason these cameras are making everyone so upset is....You can't speed through your favorite intersection any more! Get over it and start driving safe, and you'll have no worries of "conflict of interest".

If it is unconstitutional, beleive me....The ACLU would have already run this up the flagpole.