fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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One of the problems with speed cameras is that after they are instituted the authorities proceed to show that the number of LEO's can be lessened since they are no longer needed. Fewer cops mean longer response times when they are needed. Sorry, I think I'll take the speeders, since it's pretty much been proven that speeders, per se, are not the problem.
I've talked to guys from the UK and they agree that when the cameras go in the number of cops in the area are reduced by the politicians. More "safety" from speeders but at the cost of less safety from the real problem: erratic, poor drivers.
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jimnbubba
Mesa AZ
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Joined: 08/12/2006
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You can tell who the speeders are by looking at the posts,people do slow down,the speed limit is the max you can travel,not the speed you have to travel
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RandACampin
Kathleen, Georgia
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Joined: 04/06/2006
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Montanadreamer wrote:Speed cams are a SCAM. It has NOTHING to do with safety. It's just a way for cities to generate more revenue
I gather that you are habitual speeder?
-rog
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Had them in Germany back in the late '70s. They were mounted in police vehicle. The police were only allowed to use them at intersections where there were a extrordinary large number of accidents. Now if we could follow that type of guideline......
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krazy_dave
Santa Clarita, CA
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If any of you have ever been to England, these things are all over. Its just like someone else here said. People slow down for the camera, cause a load of traffic half of the time, and then speed right back up 1/4 mile down the road.
They certainly don't stop speeders, and they are definite revenue generators.
However, they are selling GPS units these days which have the cameras in them and warn you of them. Escort also has GPS based radar detectors that I'm sure will start warning people soon, if they aren't already.
And yes, I am a habitual speeder and I don't deny it.
In my 15 years of driving in many states, I've been in 2 accidents. Neither of them was I at fault for.
1 woman blowing through a red light and t-boning me, and 1 person rear ending me at 60mph on the fwy while I was driving about 10mph.
However, towing my TT, I never do more than 60.
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JoeChiOhki
Keizer, Oregon
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Joined: 11/20/2003
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The problem with speed cameras is that they're too far between. I think I proposed a while back that the best way to encourage freeway speed limits was to situate these things on all freeway overpasses looking down on each of the lanes.
Here in the PDX area, we have speed camera vans that are moved around the city on a daily basis. They have the signs for them, but the signs are only ten feet ahead and behind the van that the camera is in.
I will agree that insersections with the red-light cameras do change way too fast. I've had to nose dive the pickup a few times with the camper to get her stopped in time for one of those bastards. Been fortunate that I keep a fairly long following distance between me and the vehicle ahead, as I would have sent a few folks in imports to an early grave from plowing through their small cars when they do a sudden panic stop at changing intersection.
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oldflyer
Highlands Ranch, CO
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Joined: 12/17/2005
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In the Denver area, the speed limit on a stretch of I-225 that was recently rebuilt was raised from 55 to 65 "for safety reasons" (quoted from news). Radar studies showed the average speed was near 70, and there were fewer problems since the rebuild.
I once received a photo radar citation against my license plate number from Ft. Collins going 40 in a 30 zone. I was supposed to send $60 and accept 3 points on my license. Since I had been going with the flow of traffic, I expect everyone else in photo range got tickets also. I took a half day off work and went to the police station and asked to see the photo evidence. Since the picture only showed the driver from the throat down, I said I would decline to identify the driver. There was nothing they could do, so they dropped the citation. Implied guilt without proof of the violator just seems to go against constitutional protection - but the US is sliding away from the constitution anyway thanks to idiot judges.
Most speeds are set by conditions. Many speed limits are incorrect for the condition. Most photo radar setups are for income. They are run by private contractors and the primary incentive is cash flow to the contractor with the kickback to the local authority.
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Patty98311
Arkansas
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jimnbubba wrote:You can tell who the speeders are by looking at the posts,people do slow down,the speed limit is the max you can travel,not the speed you have to travel
Really? I don't speed, ever and am dead set against this type of activities due to all the reasons that have been stated. While I agree almost no one follows speed laws I distinctly believe in the constitution which stated I can face my accuser. I have yet to hear of a an unmaned camera answering a question to its proper operation in a court.
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snarfattack
Chicago, IL
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The speed limits in the Chicago area are 55 on the Interstates. I have yet to see any cop driving less than 65 on those same interstates. Average speed is 70-75 with no cops. I've even followed cops several times doing 80. I even have a video of it taken using my cell phone camera. I have even passed cops that are driving slower than 70 doing 72. Now try and tell me that speed traps are nothing but revenue generators. Granted different jurisdictions have varying tolerances for going faster than the posted speed limits, but speed cameras in general do not improve safety.
If speed and red-light running is a safety issue then the roadway or intersection needs to be re-engineered first, but there is no way to show an ROI on that investment like there is on a red-light camera. Revenue stream anyone?
People in general obey traffic signals. If there is chronic disregard for them it's because they are impeding efficient traffic flow. BTW, most ticket-in-the-mail programs do not have points attached, they are simply a monetary fine. That revenue stream goes out the door really fast if everyone would contest the tickets. Most people don't contest the ticket and that's what the jurisdiction is counting on, otherwise the court system would get buried under piles of paperwork and cost.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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around here IIRC the tickets given for camera detected violations do not accrue points on the license.
bumpy
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