traffic cameras as enforcement

[javasaurus]

News item on WTOP today:

Apparently a lot of people are upset about red-light and speeding cameras. Personally, I don't see the problem -- don't run red lights, and don't speed, and you don't get fined. But people are making the claim that the cameras are overly invasive, somehow invading privacy. What privacy? You're on a public road, in a situation where if a cop was there, he wouldn't be invading your privacy by pulling you over, right? So why is the camera more invasive than a cop?

What really got me was the woman they interviewed who said (I paraphrase): There are some laws where if they don't catch you, it shouldn't be illegal.
Well, lady, you were caught.

Sigh...

I know there are issues regarding who gets the money from the fines, and some other issues regarding administration of the cameras. But I just don't get why people feel they have the right to break certain laws.

Comments

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

"ratting out your spouse" is already something protected as spousal privilage by court decisions as part of the 5th amendment.

and the only contesting one can do in court is to say "i wasn't driving the car" and face obstruction charges if you don't rat out on who was.

it is the responsibility of the system to prove the offense on the individual who committed it. AFTER they prove that, on their own, they can then catch you for being and accessory if it was your vehicle. if they can't nail the conviction/confession on the driver, then the accessory (vehicle owner) can't be charged either.

that's how it works for every other crime in the system, and traffic violations should be no different.

don't say "the car did it" and "i'm responsible for the car" -- PROVE IT WAS ME, or I should be allowed to walk just as if you had to prove i was a thief or a killer.

Re:

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

You could make the same claim regarding parking tickets. The justification (not my justification, but the one indicated, for example, by Montgomery County) is that the citation does not confer points or penalty to insurance premiums, only a fine, similar to a parking ticket, which is connected to the car's owner, not the driver. So they have a combination of precedence and proven effectiveness (Howard County reports a 70% drop in violations at intersections with red-light cameras).

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

Unsafe driving should be penalized by points and eventual loss of license. the fact that unsafe driving practices are ONLY penalized by money when the cameras are used really proves that the intent of the governments placing the cameras is not public safety, but monetary income.