Well put, Yosi.
For all those who are referencing articles, here is a good set of research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/rlr.html
Since I'm on a roll here, why not offer up more of my AZ opinion. I have heard, and read above, the complaint that and automated system cannot replace our rights (reference to constitution and amendments). What people need to step back and realize is: 1. The technology only enforces the laws that have been in place for decades. It does not infringe on your rights any more than an officer pulling you over. 2. This technology did not exist when these documents were written, so therefore it could not have possibly been addressed. The only way that someone could accurately be accused of a crime in 1776 was to have an officer witness the crime taking place. 3. These cameras have the potential to free up law enforcement officers for fighting more severe criminal activity.
On another note, I have heard the argument that these cameras invade your privacy. Hehe, this is the most humorous of them all. It's a public road. DUH!!!
Basically, the uproar over the system as a whole is that people are pissed off that law enforcement has finally acquired the tools to help them do their job more efficiently and more people are getting caught!!! It just infuriates some that now they can't break the law as much as they used to without getting caught. What is the world coming to????
Living in AZ, I can tell you that the public uproar here is not with the red light camera technology but with the speed enforcement cameras on the freeway systems. Redflex happens to make both. Unfortunately, when things are posted on the internet they are not always accurate. As for the comment that red light cameras do not save lives, I would like to offer up this article which references two different research studies that suggest that the cameras do in fact save lives. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-14-redlightcameras_x.htm
As for those pesky, revenue generating, speed cameras. I think that AZ truly missed the point on these. Basically, the state installed about 100 of these cameras, some permanent and some mobile. The main point of contention with them is that when you receive a ticket from one, no points are assessed. You only get a bill for about $185. If that doesn't scream "money maker", I don't know what does. It's a classic case of not taking something far enough. If points were assessed as well as the fine, just like an officer issued ticket, then I would not have an issue with it (although others still would for other personal reasons). AZ needs to man-up and put some teeth into the photo speed enforcement program or remove them all together!
As for the residents and visitors to AZ in the meanwhile, I offer up this advice: Stop speeding and running red lights!!!
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Re: Re: Re: This discussion is demagogy in its best
Well put, Yosi. For all those who are referencing articles, here is a good set of research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/rlr.html
Article is Wrong! (Continued)
Since I'm on a roll here, why not offer up more of my AZ opinion. I have heard, and read above, the complaint that and automated system cannot replace our rights (reference to constitution and amendments). What people need to step back and realize is: 1. The technology only enforces the laws that have been in place for decades. It does not infringe on your rights any more than an officer pulling you over. 2. This technology did not exist when these documents were written, so therefore it could not have possibly been addressed. The only way that someone could accurately be accused of a crime in 1776 was to have an officer witness the crime taking place. 3. These cameras have the potential to free up law enforcement officers for fighting more severe criminal activity.
On another note, I have heard the argument that these cameras invade your privacy. Hehe, this is the most humorous of them all. It's a public road. DUH!!!
Basically, the uproar over the system as a whole is that people are pissed off that law enforcement has finally acquired the tools to help them do their job more efficiently and more people are getting caught!!! It just infuriates some that now they can't break the law as much as they used to without getting caught. What is the world coming to????
Article is Wrong!
Living in AZ, I can tell you that the public uproar here is not with the red light camera technology but with the speed enforcement cameras on the freeway systems. Redflex happens to make both. Unfortunately, when things are posted on the internet they are not always accurate. As for the comment that red light cameras do not save lives, I would like to offer up this article which references two different research studies that suggest that the cameras do in fact save lives. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-14-redlightcameras_x.htm As for those pesky, revenue generating, speed cameras. I think that AZ truly missed the point on these. Basically, the state installed about 100 of these cameras, some permanent and some mobile. The main point of contention with them is that when you receive a ticket from one, no points are assessed. You only get a bill for about $185. If that doesn't scream "money maker", I don't know what does. It's a classic case of not taking something far enough. If points were assessed as well as the fine, just like an officer issued ticket, then I would not have an issue with it (although others still would for other personal reasons). AZ needs to man-up and put some teeth into the photo speed enforcement program or remove them all together! As for the residents and visitors to AZ in the meanwhile, I offer up this advice: Stop speeding and running red lights!!!