"The main complaints are that photo enforcement is an invasion of privacy, that it's unfair, inaccurate -- even illegal -- and that Redflex is just in it to get its cut. The company makes about $30 per paid ticket. But Redflex spokesman Jay Heiler says a law enforcement officer looks at every violation before it goes out."
So you just got home from a LOOOONNNNGGG terrible day at work. Then there was the traffic jam, which delayed you another 30 minutes. The kid calls and says "Daddy Daddy can you pick up Tommy so we can go to the new Harry Potter movie tonight pleeeaase". Twenty minutes later, after Tommy has asked you where babies come from the whole way home, your tires finally hit the driveway. Before you pull into the garage, you reach into the mailbox. What is sitting right on top in a big red envelope? No, its not Season 2 of Mad Men from Netflix, its a *&%$# speeding ticket you got from a ROBOT!
Is it fair? Isn't beating the speed traps part of the fun of getting your drivers license in the first place? Fair, fun, or neither, its just plain old safer: sort of. According to the article posted above, since these ticket pumping robots were installed, traffic deaths on Arizona's highways and byways have dropped by 25%. Thats pretty tough to argue with friends. Additionally, these little binary ticket buddies have recorded over 650,000 tickets, generating an additional $37 million dollars of revenue for the state of Arizona. In these tough economic times, that's a whole lot of textbooks and tar patches.
But if you think by removing the "person" from the equation makes the process any easier to digest, think again. Some of these ticket cameras are mounted on manned vehicles. A disgruntled 68 year old motorist stopped his car in front of one of these camera vehicles and shot it 5 times, killing the person inside. According to the report, another motorist has avoided 37 tickets by wearing a monkey mask.... thats BANANAS!
In an attempt to remove the "Robotic Camera Cops" citizens are starting petitions and refusing to pay their fines. Current governor Jan Brewer even calls these little moneymakers "Un-American". Is it really "Un-American" to get caught breaking the law? Isn't this the sort of justice that only technology can provide? Do computers have the ability to use discretion like police officers and state officials?
Personally I'm all in on these little machines. If its saving lives, making my state some extra cash, and increasing the levels of citizen accountability, then I'm all for it! How about you, would you feel enraged if you got a ticket from a robot?
The idea that there is a robot to catch cars speeding is somewhat an invasions of privacy I guess. But then again, what are the cameras on stop lights used for? To stop people from running red lights or to catch the ones that do, thus reducing accidents and possible deaths that could have occurred without the camera there in the first place. If people think that having a hard day of work or just a hard day in general gives them the right to speed then where do we cross the line as an excuse to speed? I say put those things up everywhere to stop the many accidents and deaths from people speeding dangerously. There are countless incidents of dangerous drivers that I have seen on the road. If only there were cameras to catch them then maybe these acts of driving will end. And if we say we don't want to give money to the state; well who is going to pay for maintenance of the roads and to keep us safe? Their intentions are good and I say put the cameras up.
I agree that we should have traffic cameras. I am a strong believer that when people are doing something illegal, they risk the chance of getting caught. I have sped from time to time, and I realize that if I do get caught then I should be held accountable for my actions. I am not saying that people should turn themselves in, or feel horrible for speeding; but they need to realize that they might get a ticket. I would much rather have a "robot" give me a ticket because that allows other police officers the chance to partake in more serious crimes. If someone is going to speed, they should know that they are going to be held responsible for their actions. I have also heard people complain about "undercover" cop cars. Again, I don't see the harm in this. Although it is a little more deceiving, they are only out there to protect other drivers on the road. Here is a link to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that goes into more detail about traffic related information. It is evident that a high percentage of accidents are a result of speeding. Therefore, I encourage traffic cameras because roads are not a private property, they are put there by the government. People don't complain its an invasion of privacy when they are on cameras at stores or restaurants, so why on the roads?