Speed camera catches wrong man

ananova ^ | 2-2-05

[Dan from Michigan]

Speed camera catches wrong man

A man faces a court appearance for speeding - despite the roadside camera showing a man in his 20s at the wheel.

Laurie Motherby, 77, wrote to police saying he had sold the Toyota Corolla in the photo - and it was clearly not him pictured.

But he still has to appear before JPs at Beverley, East Yorkshire reports The Sun.

He said: "It's ridiculous."

Wife Doreen, 71, added: "The snap says it all."

Police say the car was still registered to Laurie when snapped at 45mph in a 30mph limit.

[Dan from Michigan]

I hope my county doesn't get this trash. I know Washington DC has cameras.

[StopDemocratsDotCom]

I live in So Cal and many cities here have them. I think they are one of the biggest threats to our privacy EVER implemented.

[SengirV]

They seem to solve all the crimes on CSI.

[Ole Okie]

We're getting red light cameras around here.

This whole bucket of crap is intended for revenue enhancement, nothing else.

[Freepdonia]

I live in So Cal and many cities here have them. I think they are one of the biggest threats to our privacy EVER implemented.

It's really no different then having a policeman at the corner instead, so I don't have any privacy concerns. What I have a problem with is that they are not infallible.

[zoso82t]

When I lived in Maryland, there were red-light cameras and I thought they were a bad thing. Now, in Delaware, with no cameras, there is at least one flagrant red light runner at every single red light I encounter. I think I miss the cameras. The drivers here are nuts, and I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone get killed by these maniacs yet.

[Blood of Tyrants]

No different? Are you REALLY going to tell me that an electronic device put up by the government for the purpose of monitoring the public is not a problem?

[WildTurkey]

I live in So Cal and many cities here have them. I think they are one of the biggest threats to our privacy EVER implemented.

I don't remember any speed cameras. I live in NoCal but visit LA. I have seen a lot of red light cameras. But for the first two years I was not a permanent resident so kept my car licensed in FL. (Also no front tag!)

In CA the sex of the driver has to match that of the registered owner or they will not send out the ticket so I drive my wife's car when we are out.

BTW, she did get her photo taken a couple of years ago while "clearing the intersection" during a left turn light that went to red. Even if she "ran the red" it is rediculous that she gets the same fine and points as someone that blows through at 80.

[moog]

No different? Are you REALLY going to tell me that an electronic device put up by the government for the purpose of monitoring the public is not a problem

I got accused of stealing gas one time even though I wasn't driving a car.

[proxy_user]

We used to have this problem in New York City.

Then Guiliani was elected. He told the police to arrest those running red lights and take them to jail.

After a while, no one ran red lights any more.

[RetroWarrior]

Ever hear of a wire tap? Boom mic's? Echelon? Telephoto lens? There's cameras and microphones in just about every store, gas station, etc. I'm not saying whether this is good or bad, but it is happening and there is really no way to stop it. The best we can do is make sure it's not used improperly.

[BobL]

"This whole bucket of crap is intended for revenue enhancement, nothing else."

We have a better system here in Texas. Our governor is instituting super-expensive toll roads (some will likely be 20 cents per mile), and also trying to convert our freeways to toll roads (but not having too much luck - YET).

I admire you guys with the cameras - at least you can avoid that tolling system by driving slow and not running red lights. Here in Texas they don't care if you're Mother Teresa, you still going to get robbed big-time.

[Freepdonia]

No different? Are you REALLY going to tell me that an electronic device put up by the government for the purpose of monitoring the public is not a problem?

Please explain how it's different than if a policeman was at the corner instead?

I don't like them because their accuracy is questionable and are used to gain revenue for government coffers, but the areas in question are public areas. We're not talking about our homes.

[BOBWADE]

We should all buy and wear this mask.

[RetroWarrior]

We don't have any toll roads her in Minnesota, at least none put up by the state, thank God!

[TankerKC]

BTW, she did get her photo taken a couple of years ago while "clearing the intersection" during a left turn light that went to red. Even if she "ran the red" it is ridiculous that she gets the same fine and points as someone that blows through at 80.

They are considering intersection cameras here in Montgomery, AL (we have a SERIOUS problem with people running red lights). This is one of the main reasons I don't want them. They don't distinguish between a true run and "clearing the intersection" as you call it. If you are making a left turn, you have to get out in the intersection. Then, you are at the mercy of oncoming traffic. If they don't stop, you get your picture taken IN the intersection and get a ticket in the mail.

[BobL]

" Please explain how it's different than if a policeman was at the corner instead? "

For starters, San Diego had to discontinue their system and refund thousands of tickets. You see, once they figured out that big-time revenue is possible, they shortened their yellow lights, to catch more "law breakers". Thankfully, a judge got involved and stopped that scam.

If you're doing it for money collection (photo-enforcement), that is simply immoral. That's no different than what goes on in third world countries everywhere, where the legal system is used to extort money from innocent people. Instead, do what we do in Texas and simply rob everyone through toll roads.

If you're doing it for safety, then the government shouldn't receive a penny from the traffic tickets. All of the fine money should go towards the operators of the cameras - only. If it means a low fine (since the government isn't also getting their palms greased) so be it. If you think the fine is too low, make it a real traffic offense and assess points to those who get a certain amount of tickets. That's how you do it for safety.

NOW - please tell us where it's being done that way.

[zoso82t]

...she did get her photo taken a couple of years ago while "clearing the intersection"...

The best way of solving this problem is to not sit in the intersection, but instead wait in the turning lane until it's your turn to go.

[WildTurkey]

They are supposed to discriminate but the private company gets a cut of the revenue so the county looks the other way on the calibrations. Now this lawyer in Sacarmento fought one and won this past month and will take cases free of charge.

[WildTurkey]

The best way of solving this problem is to not sit in the intersection, but instead wait in the turning lane until it's your turn to go.

Are you married? I solved it by telling her that she was a victim of that evil camera system and let her rant for another 15 minutes then told her I would go down to County hall a fight for her. She calmed down and said she would just pay it.

I learned long ago (with my first wife) never to try to tell my wife logically that she may be in the wrong ...