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Chicago Sends More Than 100,000 "Bogus" Camera-Based Speeding Tickets
Ars Technica, based on an in-depth report (paywalled) at the Chicago Tribune, says that the city of Chicago has been misusing traffic cameras to trigger automated speeding tickets. In particular, these cameras are placed in places where there are enhanced penalties for speeding, putatively intended to increase child safety. The automated observation system, though, has been used to send well over 100,000 tickets that the Tribune analysis deems "questionable," because they lack the evidence which is supposed to be required -- for instance, many of these tickets are unbacked by evidence of the presence of children, or were issued when the speeding rules didn't apply (next to a park when that park was closed).
The computer doesn't lie about the speeding. People are afraid of these traps exactly because they work so well. (and they drive like a-holes)
When the sign says "Speed limit 25 when children are present" then it's not speeding to go 30 when no children are present. People are afraid of these traps because they don't want their money stolen from them by government thugs under the pretense of "safety".
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2012.pdf
Read the reports, especially page 35 of the PDF, sum the total of accidents and the reason for them, realizing that "speed too fast for conditions" means going at or below the speed limit when the road is not safe for that speed, typically due to ice or heavy rain (ie: For conventional speeding, focus on the "Speed too fast" statistic). Tell me where speeding fits. Well, I'll do it for you. It is the third LEAST likely cause of a collision. The only items ranking below it are, ironically, speed too slow, and driving against traffic.
Those stats are from the government itself, and the government of Ontario along with police officers is working to lower speed limits ostensibly because they are too high and are the largest cause of accidents. Yet their own evidence suggests the opposite.
Now have a look at the most likely cause (other than driving properly), following too close. Ask yourself *why* that happens. Because someone is pissed off at someone driving too slowly for them! Psychologically, excessively low speed limits are increasing the number one cause for accidents.
It seems that most jurisdictions have got around the right to face our accusers and cross examine them in court by modifying the statue and removing the criminal penalties for moving violations which makes it strictly an administrative/civil matter. Since there are no longer criminal penalties all of those pesky constitutional guarantees fall to the wayside.
Oh, you didn't pay your ticket? Well the vehicle that the ticket was issued against can't be registered and will be impounded on sight - and the owner driver's license can't be renewed either until the (increasing amount of) fines are paid in full.
One of the best perks of living in MN: :)
These got their day in court a number of years ago and LOST! Photo traffic enforcement is unconstitutional according to MN's version. A real cop has to do his job for you to get a ticket.
Fun story, I lived in crook county for a time, whilst going to school. One day I received a letter informing me of a parking ticket, alleging a vehicle with my plate number blocked a receiving dock at some theater I've never been to, and that they were going to send it to collections for being unpaid. I called the campus cops to dispute the ticket, and they wouldn't have any of it.
Fortunately, I was at work l that day, and had my time sheet as evidence. They still gave me shit.