More "red light camera" crap

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

http://www.click2houston.com/news/14237552/detail.html

In TEXAS of all places - that bastion of anti-government and anti-big-brother sentiment, right?

What's next? Cameras checking to make sure your seat belt is on? Cameras to check to make sure you didn't forget to put your registration sticker on correctly? Cameras looking for improperly inflated tires?

Slippery slope. Here we go - down to the bottom. This ends with "RoboCop".

stryfe101 · 10-01-2007, 05:47 AM

makes me glad to be in NC....they are getting rid of all stop light cameras in the state because they couldn't decide where to put the funds. (this is what i've heard)

Gray

mattdavis11 · 10-01-2007, 06:18 AM

We got set up. It was a 3rd reading amendment 5 days before the session ended 2003. The members trusted the woman that put it on when she not so accurately presented it as a clerical amendment. She doesn't get much done at the Capitol anymore. Unfortunately for me, she lives about wedge distance away from where I am right now.

We have people working on the situation to strip the teeth from this measure.

on-ramp · 10-01-2007, 10:07 AM

if you do nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about. if they do something wrong, they have nothing to worry about either

Mule · 10-01-2007, 11:46 AM

Just installed in Metairie. I try to avoid those intersections.

MRM · 10-01-2007, 12:19 PM

And here in the People's Republic of Minnesota the state Supreme court outlawed red light cameras. Kind of makes you wonder who's out to protect the right to privacy and ensure personal freedoms. I feel like the axis of the earth is shifting under my feet. When did freedom, liberty and privacy become liberal ideas and when did the conservative states start becoming big state/big brother types?

Tim Hancock · 10-01-2007, 01:55 PM

I got tagged for speeding in Toledo Ohio by a speed/red light combo camera this past summer. Man did it ever p!ss me off. The letter came from Arizona I believe and something like 75% of the fines goes to this company and the city only gets 25%. It was about $100 and the letter says it does not go on your record, so no points or insurance worries. It is simply a way for the company that makes the equipment to make huge amounts of money for doing nothing.

Superman · 10-01-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

When did freedom, liberty and privacy become liberal ideas and when did the conservative states start becoming big state/big brother types?

Are you just now figuring this out? I'm REALLY not kidding. Think of Dick Cheney versus John Lennon. The turnaround of these longtime truths, in peoples' perceptions, in just a few years, is one of the most astonishing political coups I have EVER seen. Yes, liberals have always been for freedom, liberty and privacy. The ACLU fights this stuff all the time. It is, as I say, just astonishing that people have the perception you appear to have.

Superman · 10-01-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

I got tagged for speeding in Toledo Ohio by a speed/red light combo camera this past summer. Man did it ever p!ss me off. The letter came from Arizona I believe and something like 75% of the fines goes to this company and the city only gets 25%. It was about $100 and the letter says it does not go on your record, so no points or insurance worries. It is simply a way for the company that makes the equipment to make huge amounts of money for doing nothing.

Ah yes. Privatization. It appears as though private business can outperform gubmit.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

They can.

The problem here is not with private industry, it's with private industry being allowed to play enforcer with the blessing of lazy, do-nothing bureaucrats.

Tim Hancock · 10-01-2007, 02:19 PM

I was p!ssed because the city gvt decided to install these cameras as an easy money maker. Even though they only get 25%, it is basically "free money" for them. I don't have a problem with the company who is making the stuff, just the local/state govts that allow it.

Superman · 10-01-2007, 02:37 PM

I like to irritate you guys, as you know. And yeah, I'm more of a liberal thinker. At least, I'm more of a "freedom and liberty" thinker. We probably have more common ground than you'd believe. My town has installed those cameras at virtually EVERY SINGLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL in the city. I've got a HUGE problem with that. Wish I had the time to take that on. I may do that anyway. Yeah, like I've got all this time on my hands. Today started at 4:00, and it'll be at least nine by the time I get home. Still.....a guy's got to have some recreation, eh? I have been a government worker, and I know about public disclosure.

The part that pisses me off is the commercial part. Here, we have a glaring instance of commerce being placed ahead of public welfare. Very common in the private sector, and the basis of ALL regulation. I personally believe these cameras erode motoring safety. And I'd bet the evidence suggesting otherwise is thin thin thin.

But at the end of the day, if I decide to have my fun, it will not be my judgment that will be relevant. It will be the citizens of the City. You see, I'm pretty confident that if the story is told to the citizens, the decision gets reversed. And that, my friends, is a big part of why I believe in government. If you fool people, then the wrong thing can happen. Like that guy in the White House. But if the cards are truly layed on the table......the government is ours. It is. It is ours. Ours.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I wish that were so.

It's SUPPOSED to be, but it isn't.

Government is no longer accountable to the people and as such, cannot be trusted.

Government is the ENEMY now.

VINMAN · 10-01-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

My town has installed those cameras at virtually EVERY SINGLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL in the city.
.

Same here in NYC. Everday a new one is popping up.
There is one in particular in Staten Island, that a crew is workin on almost everyday. Im sure it cost the city more in maintenance than that camera will ever make.

Also the numer of rear end collisions has risen due to drivers panicking and stopping short.

Superman · 10-01-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I wish that were so.

It's SUPPOSED to be, but it isn't.

Government is no longer accountable to the people and as such, cannot be trusted.

Government is the ENEMY now.

so.........POP..........you think America is not a democracy?

POP, you're either going to amuse me greatly soon when I discover you're just having fun.......or........I'm going to disengage. If you're not a funster, if these remarks are your honest conclusions, then we're done. Government is the ENEMY? I hope you alert the FBI.

on-ramp · 10-01-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I wish that were so.

It's SUPPOSED to be, but it isn't.

Government is no longer accountable to the people and as such, cannot be trusted.

Government is the ENEMY now.

be careful what you type. they can seize your assets if they suspect anything, with no warning, questions, or charging you with a crime. it's scary. but it seems terrorism is good business for government and the corporations that have great influence via. the all-mighty dollar.

Aerkuld · Aerkuld's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

... Also the numer of rear end collisions has risen due to drivers panicking and stopping short.

People must be following the car in front too close then.
The funny thing is that I agree with you guys on this if when the cameras get installed the delay on the light timing gets shortened, which often appears to be the case, but surely the red light cameras themselves are a good idea? Assuming there is sufficient warning given that the light is about to turn red then there is no excuse for passing through one? What is a good excuse for jumping a red light?
So long as nobody uses them improperly then is there still a problem, or is the problem that nobody can be trusted to use them properly?

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Scary business in Chicago talking about software that will allow our cameras to "identify and flag suspicious behavior..." "I was scratching my a$$ on that tape your honor, not reaching for a gun."

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

It's okay. . . really. I'm sure Superman and the other gestapo-sympathizers will be along shortly to tell us how government is really our friend and how the guys "in the system" take accountability, transparency and disclosure so seriously (*insert laughter here*)

slakjaw · 10-02-2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

And here in the People's Republic of Minnesota the state Supreme court outlawed red light cameras. Kind of makes you wonder who's out to protect the right to privacy and ensure personal freedoms. I feel like the axis of the earth is shifting under my feet. When did freedom, liberty and privacy become liberal ideas and when did the conservative states start becoming big state/big brother types?

Minnesota also just passed a state wide smoking ban. Nebraska is the same way no red light cam's but a smoking ban. Its all about who can get support for what new law.

I propose for every new law 3 old ones must be taken off the books.