Arizona Backs Off Its Speed Camera Program

crimeandpunishment writes to inform us that Arizona is putting the brakes to a controversial and contentious speed camera program. The cameras have been used along highways in the Phoenix area and in vans throughout the state. While the cameras are used throughout the country, Arizona's program was the widest use of the technology, and the decision to drop it is a setback for those who argue that the cameras slow speeders, reduce accidents, and free up police for more serious matters. "The camera program was instituted by Brewer's predecessor, Janet Napolitano, now the Homeland Security secretary. Cameras were introduced in September 2008 and were added until all 76 were up and running by January 2009. Lawmakers considered repeal proposals within months, but set the issue aside and appealed for calmer debate when a passing motorist fatally shot a camera-van operator doing paperwork in his marked vehicle in April 2009."

Comments

Re:Huh?

[Myopic]

I'm guessing he doesn't care.

Re:Huh?

[rickb928]

"They have no choice to do more dangerous maneuvers if they want to be able to get past you and others like you"

That is PRECISELY my point, thank you for distilling it into a specific and purposeful rant.

So I'm at fault for obeying the law, and those who choose to drive more dangerously are to be excused and accomodated?

While it is practical to get out of the way of a reckless driver, it sure isn't 'right'. My initial post laid out my desire for a peaceful commute. I am no longer offended by other drivers who obey the law.

Your attitude speaks volumes about our society, and the general attitude of 'whatever I can get away with'. This permeates the Internet community (where it has good and bad applications), the political arena, our financial markets, and virtually every part of American society.

Let's get this clear, ok? the complaints I'm hearing are essentially that I am not accomodating the lawbreakers, and they are therefore left with the option of either endangering other drivers or submitting to the law.

My post also pointed out the genuine and beneficial impact of speed cameras on the highway here - slowing down the worst offenders, and reducing the number and severity of accidents and deaths. This is undesireable how? Your attitude seems, by logical extension, to also require that the cameras be turned off, to prevent speeders from being encoutraged to abruptly change speed, endangering themselves and others. Come on, their act of speeding is the problem, not the cameras or the 'rest of us' who are not driven (pun intended) to drive just as damned fast as we can get away with.

It this were the Autobahn, where the speed limit in the left lane is your ability, road and weather conditions, traffic, vehicle capabilities, and vehicle condition, I would Not be in the left lane. But it is not the Autobahn. You want me to pull over to get out of the way of a driver that is, in reality, driving too fast for the conditions. I am not alone in the left lane, doing the limit.

Just as an exercise, if I should move over for a driver going 70, should I also do so for a driver going 75? 85? 135? Just so you know, when the 101 Pima cameras were being tested, they clocked violators in excess of 120MPH Some of those violators, despite the stated plan to test and not summons, did get tickets. The kid driving from his rear seat was pretty funny. The woman who got flashed 30+ times in 3 weeks got special attention. Honorable mention to the guy with the gorilla suit. People are stupid.

I should probably be more concerned that someone is going to shoot me one day for being in the left lane. But so far as I can tell, you don't need to do anything wrong to get shot out here. It is not about you.

And for the speeders, it is not about me. It's about them. No matter how fast I go, someone wants to go faster. I guess I can live with having that confrontation at 65 instead of 80, since the confrontation is inevitable, and is not going to be initiated by me anyways.

Your logic is dangerous, more so than mine. And I guarantee you do not get it.