Slashdot Mirror
Baltimore Issued Speed Camera Ticket To Motionless Car
SternisheFan sends this story from the Baltimore Sun:
"The Baltimore City speed camera ticket alleged that the four-door Mazda wagon was going 38 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone — and that owner Daniel Doty owed $40 for the infraction. But the Mazda wasn't speeding. It wasn't even moving. The two photos printed on the citation as evidence of speeding show the car was idling at a red light with its brake lights illuminated. A three-second video clip also offered as evidence shows the car motionless, as traffic flows by on a cross street. Since the articles' publication, several lawmakers have called for changes to the state law that governs the way the city and other jurisdictions operate speed camera programs. Gov. Martin O'Malley said Tuesday that state law bars contractors from being paid based on the number of citations issued or paid —an approach used by Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and elsewhere. 'The law says you're not supposed to charge by volume. I don't think we should charge by volume,' O'Malley said. "If any county is, they need to change their program.'"
I've been thinking of using OpenCV to create a tailgating gun. That's an actual danger, unlike speeding which usually isn't.
It is a far larger danger when you are preoccupied and spending a lot of brain time, constantly scanning your mirror wondering if they are still there and the added frustration because you think someone is tailgating you. Just ignore it or if possible, move the hell over. What's the difference if you know about it or get frustrated about it or not? If something is going to happen because of a tailgater, it is going to happen anyway.
People who obsess over others tailgating have a superiority complex. They want to be in control and actively spread their sense of what speed is acceptable to anyone and everyone else that wants to go faster. The justification is you are worried about your safety. Yeah, but you feel its okay to tap your brakes, slam on your brakes, slow down even more to "teach a lesson" or your extreme case, a tailgating gun. Stop trying to be the controller of everyone and relax and ignore it and concentrate on what if front of you instead of behind you. THAT is safer.