Devices that warn drivers of traffic cameras draw police ire (DC Area)

The Washington Examiner ^ | July 7, 2009 | Washington Examiner Staff Writer

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Area drivers looking to outwit police speed cameras are using an iPhone application and other global positioning system devices that pinpoint the location of the cameras.

That has irked D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier, who promised her officers would pick up their game to counteract the devices, which can also help drivers dodge sobriety checkpoints.

"I think that's the whole point of this program," she told The Examiner. "It's designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives."

(snip)

Photo radar tickets generated nearly $1 billion in revenues for D.C. during fiscal years 2005 to 2008.

In the current fiscal year, Montgomery County expects to make $29 million from its red light and speed cameras. Lanier said efforts to outlaw the software would be too difficult.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Yep, it's all about safety...

[montomike]

Cry me a river!

[mgc1122]

“Photo radar tickets generated nearly $1 billion in revenues for D.C. during fiscal years 2005 to 2008.”

The crux behind police “concern” ...

[doodad]

"It's designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save livesgenerate revenue."

[ShadowAce]

"It's designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives."

If that were the case, they'd be happy about the application--people would be more careful around those intersections, and people would be safer.

But since there are fewer tickets, there is less revenue--that's what irks them.

[Dan Middleton]

Great, now we can have a technological arms race with traffic cameras to match the one with police radar. Hilarious.

[Charles Henrickson]

"law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives generate revenue."

There, fixed it.

[SpaceBar]

Their “ire” only proves they are nothing but armed revenue collectors.

[Charles Henrickson]

GMTA! See post 7.

[Goldsborough]

Circumventing “red light cameras” is outlawry I can heartily endorse. They are nothing more or less than latter day revenuers.

[Rebelbase]

“”It’s designed to circumvent law enforcement “

What law is broken by one not speeding through a red light or avoiding a police road block?

[tgusa]

Good. If it’s all about safety, then do away with the fines and triple the penalty points awarded in traffic court. The morons are SO transparent.

[KarlInOhio]

DC police have replaced the sound on their sirens with the ringing of a cash register. Cha-Ching!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"It's designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives generate revenue."

There ya go Chief Lanier. Fixed it for ya.

[KarlInOhio]

What law is broken by one not speeding through a red light or avoiding a police road block?

The Law of Supply and Demand. The police demand that you supply them with your money.

[Steamburg]

That is the best call I’ve seen. Traffic enforcement stopped being about public safety as soon as the first dollar reached the pocket of a politician.

[tgusa]

That’s the way to approach the issue at a City Council meeting - “I’m all for safety. To enhance the safety of law-abiding citizens, I propose we do away with the fines and (double, triple etc.) the penalty points per offense. Let’s get the unsafe drivers off the roads.” How could a politician argue against that?

[MikeWUSAF]

Sorry! Meant to hit reply and hit report abuse instead.

I’m clicker happy!

LOL! :)

[libh8er]

...that is designed specifically to save lives.

Pig manure. Traffic radar cams have one and only purpose - wealth transfer.

[TADSLOS]

Lanier said efforts to outlaw the software would be too difficult.

Just give Obama time.

[Betis70]

>>It’s designed to circumvent law enforcement — law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives.

Seems designed to circumvent an encroaching police state.

“Your papers, please”

[Tallguy]

"I think that's the whole point of this program," she told The Examiner. "It's designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives."

Seems to me that anybody with enought wits about them to utilize such technology successfully is sufficiently sober to safely operate a motor vehicle. That leaves the threat to "revenue enhancement" as the chief reason to oppose this application.

[Dallas59]

“Photo radar tickets generated nearly $1 billion in revenues for D.C. during fiscal years 2005 to 2008.”

No more needs to be said.

[mysterio]

Traffic cameras should be made unprofitable by the freedom-loving residents of any particular area.

[tiki]

That was my first thought, I’ve seen those drunks on Cops and they can’t even recite the alphabet.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Excellent point. If drivers are warned about where these cameras are located, then they will drive more safely in those areas, right? They will be careful about the traffic lights, and be careful about their speed. These warnings actually help law enforcement.

So why would they complain that someone is publicizing where these cameras are located? If it’s all about safety, there should be no complaints that drivers are driving more safely.

[bgill]

But, but I thought it was supposed to slow down drivers!

[woollyone]

“...law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives.”.

What an utterly dumb statement!

No...law enforcement is designed to ENFORCE LAWS!
...that’s whay it’s called LAW ENFORCEMENT!

LIFE PRESERVERS are designed to save lives.

[east1234]

You got it, a bunch of damn facists!

“Lanier said efforts to outlaw the software would be too difficult”

Screw you!

[Old Professer]

I thought the whole idea was the iconic “raise awareness” mantra of the post-war generation. Looks like the public is becoming quite aware, to me.

[Chewbacca]

“It’s designed to circumvent law enforcement — law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives.”

CORRECTION: “Law enforcement is designed to increase revenue through the issuing of citations and tickets.”

[Niteranger68]

Here's the dumb monkey who is making herself the joke of the day.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

She looks like Alice Tinker, for anybody's who's familiar with the "Vicar of Dibley."

[JimRed]

Is she an AA plant (affirmative action, female) or a qualified leader?

[Goldsborough]

You get one guess. . . .