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

Re:

[faireraven.livejournal.com]

But as you also noted, that's only in the state of virginia. In every other state, you have to actually point out the person who was driving. If that's your spouse, that means that in order to declare yourself innocent, you have to rat out your spouse, and that's in violation of spousal privledge.

Oh, and the "people setting their own speed limits based on what they think is okay for them, and not everbody agrees" part... I suppose that REALLY qualifies for the ass this morning who decided that I shouldn't be driving at the speed limit, even though it was posted as such, and I should be driving five miles under like he was?

Sorry, traffic is my gripe this morning. I also had someone who decided to try and prevent me from getting onto the highway this morning, by closing the gap that I signalled I was getting into... Sorry, but if there's a big gap, and someone signals to get into it, you DO NOT attempt to close the gap and cut them off so they won't be able to get in...

Argh. I'm just full of traffic idiot stories this morning... I haven't even told the half of them. People who don't use signals, people who weave in and out of traffic, people who try and become their own version of traffic enforcement, people who don't follow "driver courtesy", people who feel that the extra ten seconds they save is going to make a tremendous impact on their lives...

Argh.

I haven't gotten a speeding ticket since 1994. With the exception of that accident over the summer, I hadn't gotten a moving violation since 1997 (and witnesses even said that the accident wasn't really my fault, the other driver wasn't paying attention and was giving off the wrong signals, but since he had the right of way, I got nailed). I consider myself to be a relatively safe driver (considering that my auto insurance decided to NOT raise my rates after the accident should say something).

I still object intensely to traffic enforcement cameras. Because of that "rat or be nailed" thing.

Re:

[xpioti.livejournal.com]

As for being cut off in traffic... one thing I do is "thwart". If you signal, I don't thwart. If you are driving in a manner that makes me think you will try to cut me off, I ensure that cutting me off will cause an obvious accident. And it will not be my fault. In my Saturn, I even had designated "accident quarters" -- specifically, the corners of the car that I would voluntarily put into harms way, since they had previously received damage that I had not fixed (typically because of price).

I've pretty much concluded that I absolutely love my car, but I know how it handles when struck, I know I wear my seatbelt and the only loose thing in the car that may cause a problem is the breakfast soda and my purse (if Curvy is inverted, laptop will go flying; likelihood: slim). Also, the big thing to remember is... many of the people who yank in and out of traffic are blithering idiots. The only thing they know is how small a space their car can fit in. If you can convince your subconscious to set that space as your "follow while doing less than 35mph on 270" (in my case) speed, you'll tend to not be cut off.

I absolutely loathe DC metro area drivers. It is far too easy to get a drivers license, and the road rage education is laughable. If you are actually a courteous driver (like you, Cyd -- or me, in general), you obviously are not a DC metro area driver.

*mutter*

(BTW, a thwart can be as simple as not being cowed when someone makes an intimidating move.)

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

playing a large game of chicken only goes so far. if you lose, so does a lot of other people around you when the accident happens, stopping traffic in a major way.

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[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

1) I agree with the comment that getting into a problem causes problems for everyone else with regard to traffic.
2) Even if the accident isn't your fault officially, you can still get hit with higher insurance (I know someone who is getting seriously jacked up rates because [he] was hit from behind while stopped on the ice ... the company says that he shouldn't have stopped on the shoulder ... he should have stayed in his lane (and hit the person there I guess) ).
3) The real problem is that even with the seat-belt on, the forces on the body can be pretty severe. When I was involved in a fairly minor crash (was rear-ended by someone going about 15 mph), I ended up with a severely sore neck and a concussion. If you get hit from the side, the spin can still do major things to your neck/back/etc. even with a seat-belt on. I am tall enough to hit the windshield even with a locking seat-belt.

I understand the thwart tendencies ... and have been known to do a bit of it myself, but the sacrificial corner worries me a lot.â

Re:

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

Your problem driver this morning really has issues. While I am in favor of obeying posted speed limits, etc., what the other driver did to you was arrogant, dangerous, and just plain stupid. We cannot take it upon ourselves to enforce the road laws (though I have cheered the "moving roadblock" of a protest group driving together in all but one beltway lanes at the speed limit to specifically protest the speed limit). It only causes a more dangerous, and angry situation for all. If he was going the speed limit, and keeping to his lane, then good for him. But the weaving thing made me go "grrr..." when I read it.