Cameras accuse 2,600 of speeding

Akron Beacon Journal ^ | Wed, Dec. 07, 2005 | John Higgins, Andale Gross and David Knox

[Sir Gawain]

Google search.

[savedbygrace]

There was a thread a few weeks ago telling of someone who is contesting their red-light camera ticket. They are demanding the details of the sortware/firmware code that is used in the device, so they could confirm its accuracy. The manufacturer was fighting disclosure, but I haven't heard anything further about that case.

[xrp]

You summon it to court. I remember hearing about something like this a few years ago. A lawyer who got a ticket for running a red light and "accused by" a red-light camera had the camera on the witness stand and the "witness" didn't respond to the lawyer's questions.

[clee1]

That's my thinking as well, but the majority of the citizenry - indoctrinated by the gooberment skrewl system - will just pay the fine and not question the legality of it all.

[clee1]

Any method I can think of to do so would likely result in your arrest by a real, live LEO.

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

FYI, you are not allowed to post a sign indicating a red light camera is there. It is a crime in most places like Cincinnatti where a woman who used to put nickels in expired parking meters got cited for violating some law.

I meant speed limit signs. If we - private individuals - were to repeat the entire process beginning to end, as described in the article, we'd be charged with extortion. That's what I meant. Speeding fines are just another way of transfering money from those that haven't done anything wrong to anyone, to those that have done nothing to earn that money.

[brownsfan]

"Coming to a highway near you......"

Yep. Anyone remember the movie "1984"? The camera in your living room isn't there to spy on you, it's for your protection!
Your social security number will never be used as a form of identification. Right.
Akron is in Summit county. The Summit county council just passed a smoking ban in public places to go into effect in Feburary 2006.
Part of freedom is the right to do what you wish, even if it's stupid, as long as it doesn't directly effect others. Helmet laws, seatbelt laws, homeowners associations.
We are meekly and mildly handing over our freedom without even a peep.

[tfecw]

"Anyone remember the movie "1984"

I remember the book ;)

the time is getting closer.

[octobersky]

Yeah, but do those products really work or are they a waste of money?

[brownsfan]

"So much for that $60, I think. It was in DC, they love this scam, but at least you don't get points this way."

And that is EXACTLY why you don't get points. If they charged you points, people would go nuts. There'd be more protests and lawsuits than they could handle.
But, don't charge points, and what happens? People see it as an unjust nuisance, pay the bill, and surrender more of their freedom.

[newbolt]

Why do you think this is a bad idea? Are people angry because they weren't speeding but got a camera ticket? Or, more likely, they were speeding and got caught.

Everybody knows the rules. Break them and take the consequences. Or put another way, take responsibility for your actions.

[absolootezer0]

there have been reports of people fighting DUIs on the same basis. trying to get details, specs, tests etc on the breathalyzer machines.

[razorback-bert]

A couple of months ago, I got stopped by the Texas DPS in McCamey for doing 22 in a 20 school zone.

Note, stopped by the DPS, not the local cops.

[mc6809e]

Your accuser isn't a computer.

Your accuser is a person that looks at the data collected by the computer.

[BraveMan]

Often the local municipalities around here will trot out these portable, unattended "speed displays" which calculate your speed (presumbably through radar) and display the result to you as you approach. If you are above the speed limit the result will flash; if you are WAY above the limit the display will turn flashing red . . .

Every time I ride by one of these displays on the Bagger, it reads at least 10MPH less than my actual speed. Heh . . .

[Sir Gawain]

If cameras become widespreak, you can bet there will be technology eventually to beat them. Law of economics.

[Adiemus]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but this is an excellent example of the few (lead-foot types and red light runners) ruining it for the rest of us (who follow the posted speed limits and don't run red lights).

In the city I live in, insurance rates are high because of this same group - red light runners and lead-foot types cause the bulk of accidents, raising my insurance rates. And I've not been involved in an accident since I was 17, that's 33 years ago.

Yes, the cameras suck, and they are being challenged in many areas. But as a country founded based on rule of law, I see a lot of rationalizing in this thread for justifying breaking the law. If you don't like the speed limit or the piss-poor timing of the lights, write a letter to your local government.

Perhaps instead of cameras, which are, IMHO unconstitutional, maybe they should make the cost of being caught running a red light or speeding a prohibitive amount. What is an alternate solution?

[Rakkasan1]

ex-gov Jerklo out driving again?

[Rakkasan1]

does it say on the ticket you have no right to go to court? (my guess is people are too lazy to fight for their
rights)

[staytrue]

In many cases, the cameras didn't cut much slack: 40 percent of those fined $150 were going 10 mph or less over the posted limit.

Most traffic engineers post speed limits that are 10-30 mph below what is a safe speed. They did this to err on the side of safety, allow for some degree of "pilot error" on the part of the driver and knowing that humans will tend to speed a little. The traffic engineers never intended speed cameras to fine everyone who is slightly over the speed limit.

Getting ticket for 10 mph over the speed limit is just for revenue enhancement that the govt. can not get from the voters. It is wrong and should be stopped. AND I DON'T CARE THAT IT IS FOR THE CHILDREN.