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Database Loophole Lets Legislators Avoid Photo Radar Tickets

Posted by timothy on from the public-choice-theory-at-play dept.

lemur3 writes "State legislators in Colorado have not been receiving speeding tickets due to inadequacies in the implementation of a DMV database. The current system ties plates to vehicles rather than to individuals, the special plates for legislators are issued to individuals. The result is that there is no entry in the database for the special plates when the automated photo radar system is triggered, this means nobody receives a citation. In one case a Colorado resident, who had vanity plates reading '33,' received the photo radar citations intended for Senator Mike Johnston representing district 33, whose vehicle was identified by a '33' on his special plate. Lt. Matt Murray of the Denver Police, speaking of the system commented, 'Our system works, the database works. What needs to happen is the state's database need to be complete.'"

3 of 165 comments (clear)

  1. The real question for me is... by hedgemage · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why do legislators need special license plates? What sets them apart from us plebs in the rank and file? I'm sure that they don't have problems parking at the statehouse, so other than notifying law enforcement that they're 'special' why different plates?

    1. Re:The real question for me is... by nitehawk214 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Lawmakers driving between legislative events have immunity from prosecution under legislative privilege.

      A tight vote could be swayed by stopping a few key political people.

      So they write in a free movment rule - the ability not to be stopped while going ~to vote.

      Bullshit. I mean, that is likely the story they tell people....

      The real reason is that no cop is going to pull over and ticket a legislator once they see the plate. Police budgets are set by legislature, don't bite the hand that feeds you. It is the same reason why cops have that FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) sticker on their licence plate or car.

      --
      I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
  2. Re:Just as intended by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For every ticket that was questionable, I went down to the city building, waited a short amount of time to have my story heard, and the tickets were nullified.

    It really couldn't be any easier.

    Taking time off during the workday to go to court to fight a ticket that shouldn't have been issued in the first place is easy?

    Sounds like Stockholm syndrome to me.

    --
    When information is power, privacy is freedom.