I, and presumably you, can not even worry (though we might not like it) if they take 20% of our income. If you take $2000 out of $10000 that's must more painful than taking $20,000 out of $100,000.
If the subject is a business, it's actually pretty easy to avoid making much of a profit at all. For example, if you own your own business then just pay yourself a salary and pay the taxes on that. The business isn't taxed, really, you are. To the IRS, that's a legitimate business expense. Open a new office, give folks a raise, or whatever and those become expenses and the profit is less... Then, well, you add in depreciation and all sorts of things - it gets pretty damned complicated.
Which leads to this: Those who can better afford it are more able to take advantage of the loopholes. I don't think it's possible to set up a tax system that does not have potential for abuse. Sadly, those who can benefit the most are the least able to afford the professionals to do their taxes. I recommend everyone hire an accountant and pay a lawyer, and I recommend that they consider incorporation, but many people can't justify the expense. Oddly enough, they probably *could* justify the expense (in many cases) based on how much they'll save but many folks don't seem to look at it like that.
Finally, I've said this before but I think it bears repeating, I don't think my government has an income problem so much as it has a spending problem. I have no problem with the amount I pay in taxes and could easily bear a higher tax burden but I'm not just going to give it to them so long as I can (legally) avoid it. We've got enough bombers, aircraft carriers, and tanks.
If they're not shutting them down and they're still producing power then are they really reducing their carbon output? If it's just additional capacity then I'm not sure there's actually a reduction going on.
No slight intended, and certainly none directed towards you, but Slashdot is a fine example of your post being largely correct. If there's an insanity or illogical position to hold, and to hold firmly, someone here has that conviction. I truly mean no slight, it's one of the things that make Slashdot what Slashdot is.
People seem inclined to believe China will get involved. It's not the 1950s anymore and the 1970s were a long time ago. I tend to believe a modern China will accept, and believe, any nation that attacks N. Korea so long as they publicly state that they've no intention of going onto Chinese soil and, of course, also send the same message(s) through on the back-end diplomatic channels.
I've yet to figure out what they'll do to/with the refugees. I'm also not able to speculate if they'd offer material assistance (such as allowing aircraft refueling and flights over their soil) if their antics were bad enough so that this happened.
I am not arguing with you but I do want to point out that you're assuming responsible actors. That's the same reason that a "pure" political ideology or economics model can not work. (Like pure capitalism and pure democracy or anarchy.)
Mr. Asshole, thanks. And I re-read my post and stand by everything I said. Do you not take the time to ensure your tools work properly? Do you not take the time to keep them in peak condition? No? Well then don't be surprised when the tools don't work right.
The same thing applies to automobiles except automobiles get driven down the road, unlike a planer. And, seeing as I'm being a smug asshole, learn to drive. Just 'cause you got your license doesn't mean you can take additional courses. There are classes across the globe, most of them aren't that expensive. Many of them are held on the weekends. Some have night courses.
Inspect your tools, make sure they work properly, and use them to your best ability. Yup. That's a whole lot to ask and even suggesting that we not lower things to the lowest common denominator makes me smug as all hell.
I can't do a lot of testing right now but I have uBlock installed and I did not unblock anything - I just went and downloaded CloneZilla. It's been the same version of uBlock for a while now. I don't actually recall ever unblocking SourceForge. Ever. I've been using uMatrix and uBlock for a very long time. I also sometimes get things from SourceForge - on a fairly regular basis but much less stuff as of late. Certainly much less often than I used to visit.
So, no block here with uBlock. I've got some older versions of it stashed away and can spin up a VM if anyone really wants to see what happens. But, alas, I am not really supposed to be here right now. I'm supposed to be drinking cocoa.
I just noticed this thread. It's gonna have to interrupt cocoa and movie time for a minute.
I just wanted to reiterate the above sentiments and add that it's timely - I'm getting back into coding, it has been a long time, and I always just put it my code out there. I can say that I'm kind of pissed about the whole thing to begin with. I'll also add that such is not your fault - and I'd not blame you for it. So, I can see fit to put my stuff on SourceForge. Somewhere, I've an older account there too. I don't even recall the username.;-)
At any rate, there's no need for you to reply (but you can). I'm just happy to see you being people of your word. You said it was being attended to, it has been attended to. Trust me, we're looking for faults. I've yet to find any faults of significance and am happy to have you as our new overlords. If you're nice, we'll even let you pretend to be the boss once in a while.
Well, I'll let you. I can't speak for the OP AC or anything. They seem *really* disinclined to accept that you, and your company, are not responsible and that Slashdot has new overlords now.
I for one, welcome our malware-killing, personally-interacting, word-keeping, overlords. However, I'm still waiting on that picture and I just bumped into that 50 post/day limit just yesterday. I am not a big movie fan so I'll cheat and keep reading the thread on a laptop.
On that note, the missus says I have to go now. You neither fuck nor feed me, so I guess you can't be the boss at the moment.;-)
> Key operational controls should either work the same, or look and feel completely different to ensure that users' muscle memory doesn't result in inadvertent operation.
I'm going to have to disagree with that sentiment. I'd rather avoid the lowest common denominator as an end-goal and I'd rather we actually only let people drive who are going to operate their vehicle safely. The onus is on the driver to know what the required switches do and where they're located, within reason - I don't think I'm really asking all that much, prior to operating the vehicle on a public road.
Put your seatbelt on, find the light controls, the wiper controls, figure out how to use them, figure out how the shifting actually works, learn the shift pattern, test brakes and clutch to ensure they're working, figure out the temperature controls well enough, leave the radio off for the first bit - it's a new car, make sure everything is adjusted, ensure the proper documentation is in place, that sort of thing... No, not every time you get in the car, every time you get in an unfamiliar car...
For fun, I'd like to put you into a mid-1980s Saab 900. You'll be forever just figuring out how to get it started. The shifting pattern's pretty easy but some models had a little variations.
At any rate, always at least do a quick walk around the car prior to operation. Lift the hood once in a while and check fluids and fill them or have someone else do it. Check the wear indicators on the tires, check to see (or use a gauge) that the tires are inflated properly, check the spare and the jack, see if there's a tool kit, make sure you've got the "key" if you have locked lug nuts, check wiper condition, etc... No, not every time - but certainly the first time you're going to drive something.
I don't think a decent familiarity is too much to ask for - doubly so, if you own it. There are still features on my car that I don't know how to use. I'll probably never learn how to use an app to control my stereo or to bluetooth to my stereo. It's gotta plug... I don't know how to use the GPS - I didn't want that but it was not optional. I have a separate GPS and my phone has one. But, I know how to operate the vehicle safely and, if I want to learn those things, I'll either read the manual or I'll just go sit in the car, at idle, and poke buttons until I figure it out.
At any rate, I'd type more but that's the gist of it. I have to go have a cup of cocoa with the missus. She wants to watch a scary movie and wants company. I'll almost surely bring my laptop but it'll be a minute and I want to make sure I send this before I forget.
I don't think that I'm asking too much here. I also don't support aiming for the lowest common denominator or limiting design choices because people were unwilling to take the time to learn to operate their tools. I must ask, do you think we should do the same things with computers? Should they be design limited to avoid people getting confused and not having to learn how to use their tools or should we have choices and accept that some people are just too not going to follow best practice?
I'm an automobile enthusiast - I've mentioned this, and even shown some pics of my favorites, countless times. It's disheartening to hear you suggest that I should be limited simply because people won't take the time to learn how to safely operate the tools they are using. Also, a Volvo can be a lot of fun. I've a restored and modified 1982 Volvo 245. It is not factory. It's a whole bowl of fun. It's also like a tank. Meh, I'd probably let you drive that. I've other stuff that you'd find more interesting. If you're not going to take the time to operate them properly, I'd probably not let you drive them.
At any rate, that's disheartening to read. Even more so at Slashdot. I don't think a cup of cocoa can fix that. But now she's back upstairs and poking me. So, I gotta go. At least she spared you from one of my novellas?
Most excellent. I'm going to presume you'll not go stalking me? I've met a whole bunch of Slashdotters (well, at least a couple dozen) in real life and none of them have yet stalked me or harassed me. In fact, we got along quite well. I see you have me on your "foes" list. I don't mind that, that doesn't bother me at all. However, it'd make things simpler just to give you my full name so that you can verify it - presumably that's what you'd like to do. I'm okay with that but, well... Frankly, I'm not exactly sure what you'll do with that information - others have it. What will you do with it once you're done and have the answers you want? You've already indicated that you don't like me. I presume you're reasonably mature but I've no way of knowing that.
Let me try this and we'll see where it goes. I might as well at least demonstrate that I don't pull numbers out of my ass. I don't know when you where in the industry last but, here's a citation for that figure that I gave you about striping and the value of it: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publi...
Now, to put this particular issue in perspective, without data (and three routes is not adequate) I can't support (if you read what I wrote) removing lane markings. In fact, I'll need a lot of data before I would suggest doing so on any scale that's measurable. That does not mean it does not have value - it means I'll need to see more evidence. Now, what to add to that? I suppose this might turn out pretty long.
That should also mean that I don't think it would be cost effective, or a large enough enhancement in safety, to go removing the center lane marking from roads where the drivers are used to it. Unless you have very compelling evidence, you do not make great alterations. Why? The changes have a negative value of their own and the added confusion with some drivers (likely not as much in the UK as they spend longer learning to drive and have a more stringent test than we have in the US) will be yet another negative. How much of a negative? Well, I really don't have that sort of data sitting here in front of me - which is one of the reasons I mentioned that I'd need more data to make an informed choice.
They are removing a known good safety feature. A known good safety feature. I'm loathe to say that I know that's a bad thing (which is why I'd not say such a thing) but I will say that they need some damned good evidence to convince me of the value of that choice. It's 9:00 at night - I can actually make a few phone calls and see if anyone knows anything about this tomorrow, if you really want.
And, lest I forget, if you live around Georgia you should be familiar with Georgia. They have the tendency to, well... Be a bit zealous, it's not just lines. Ever notice the I-95 corridor's signage at exit ramps? Even if you go out to the swamp, they've stuck paint on everything and have signs everywhere they don't have paint. That's only a slight exaggeration. Count the "NO PARKING" signs, on the side of I-95, near any of the intersections. If you go out back towards the swamp (I forget the root but heading over from Dothan I believe) you'll find a section of the road that has been painted with airplanes - and a bunch of lines that don't appear to actually have anything to do with the fact that the area's designated as an emergency landing strip. That's not that abnormal - except these stenciled airplanes go well past the straight and flat section and go all the way around a couple of corners.
That's some overzealous marking - and check the signage around Atlanta (around the 285 as I recall?) where they've got signs for everything. Some of them don't even make sense! In the days before GPS was ubiquitous, I once followed seemingly every sign in the area (on and around that bypass) to find a suburb that began with an M... It wasn't Marietta, I know where that is and I remember the name. I followed them all... I turns out, When I wasn't on the bypass, I was missing
You don't have to read the entire manual - you should read or have shown to you the method to properly put the car into gear and remove it from gear if it's not clearly labeled. I've got some of the strangest shift patterns you've ever seen in some of my vehicles. I'd certainly not make any assumptions where shifting is concerned. If you can't access the manual and nobody is there to give you instruction, don't drive it. If you feel you must, do so in a safe area where there are no other people to get hurt. Then, once you've figured out how to safely operate the vehicle, drive it.
You don't have to know how to set the stereo. You do have to know how to operate the basic vehicle functions safely. Shifting is a pretty basic function. I can confidently say that I'd ask for instruction in this particular model but that's kind of cheating. (I know how this one shifts but I've never done it with this particular model - I'd be certain to ask or read the manual.)
I suppose you don't do a visual inspection of your vehicle prior to driving it? No worries, most people don't. Yes, yes I do. I'd say I do so roughly 80% of the time and 100% of the time if I'm in the midst of some longer trip, haven't driven that vehicle in a while, or have been pushing the vehicle hard. I like to drive, that includes track driving, rally driving, and I've even taken classroom lessons and then hired a coach and rented exotics to laps at Nurburgring. On the road, it's not just my life that I'm risking. I know how to operate the vehicle and that the vehicle is exhibiting signs of being properly maintained.
I do not read the manual but I do ensure I know how it functions, up to and and including asking the owner to show me. My friends and I own some rather odd cars. Some of them are rather pricey. Some of them are pretty complicated. I understand every necessary function, including shift patterns, before I drive it.
My own cars? I not only read the manual but I buy and read the actual factory technicians manual and Haynes or Chilton's manuals when I can. Why would you want to operate a tool without knowing its use? Why risk your own safety and the safety of others. There's a time and place to risk your own safety and the safety of willing participants. We call that track day or race day. The public didn't opt in for me driving around risking their lives by being too lazy to understand the necessary functions of the vehicle. And yes, proper shifting is indeed a necessary function.
I'm not kidding - I've got vehicles you probably couldn't even figure out how to start unless someone showed you or you read the manual.
Heh! I read your link. I'm the asshole that shows up and rolls his window down as he goes by you and asks if you want a ride. You know you want to say yes...
I usually prefer a snowmobile for that sort of stuff. When I was young, and more stupid, I used to go ride my bike on the ice - when it had no snow on it. We went through great lengths to figurer that out. I'd break a hip if I tried it today.
I must admit, your trek looks like fun but, alas, I am lazy. Somehow, I am in good shape. No, I have no idea how. I'd drive to the kitchen if I could figure out how to get down the stairs and back up them. I have taken a friend's ice bike out on a lake but that was motorized and had giant spikes in the tires. I'm pretty sure that's not the same. You know, I don't think I actually own a bike with pedals. There are a couple in the garage down here at this place but I have no idea where they came from and they're both kids bikes. They do have owners now but that's a very, very long story.
No, nothing to be "proud" about, I don't think. Still, a bit more than none. It's very far from where we could be - in both directions. IOW, don't despair. We'll be all good. I'd like to be in a much different place but I don't really get to control that and nobody I vote for is ever elected.:/
Are you retarded? Seriously, are you mentally retarded? Where, with what, did I indicate that the problem is exclusive to China? How the fuck did you get that from anything I've ever said, ever? I have a whole post history, many thousands of posts, and I've never once indicated that I held any such belief - including in the post you fucking replied to.
Wow, this site's filling up with stupid people. Read what I wrote, not what you want to think I wrote.
Why would I search for something else to give you a citation for what you asked for? I'm well aware of fraud happening in other countries. I'm pretty sure that I made no mention of China being exclusive to this.
The only thing I pointed out is that you're not a scientist. I made no argument. Follow the fucking thread. You asked someone for a citation, I gave it to you because you're obviously not smart enough to do it on your own. You didn't ask ME for the citation, try to keep up. Dumb ass.
It is your job to know full, safe, operation methods prior to operating the vehicle. Yes, it means needing to learn a few things and cars have man differences between them. I have more than one car that you probably couldn't even figure out how to start, never mind get into motion. Learn to operate the vehicle prior to operating the vehicle.
Yes, I see why it is being done. I'm just not certain that it's a good idea and will need significant proof to demonstrate that it is a good idea. It may be a good idea - I do not know. I don't think anyone knows.
Further, I'd certainly not extrapolate this to mean that it's a good idea anywhere else except those places which mimic the UK driving culture. Much like I'd not suggest we make unilateral choices based on US data, I'd also suggest the same thing for the UK. The variations in driving culture/behaviors are quite remarkable.
Sorry if you were confused but those were some examples where I would not be surprised to find it might work as well as making it clear that I'd need some proof to recommend that to anyone. They'll need to demonstrate that there's reason to believe that it's safer as regards the entire stretch of road where they're making those changes.
Why is it salient as to what I might recommend? Well, that's up to you to judge but I was paid quite handsomely to do exactly that, and more, prior to selling and retiring. This is, quite specifically, something my company would have done. Well, they still do it - I'm just no longer the owner. They're still quite successful at it. I didn't do it on my own but I was kind of "the guy" who brought the industry forward to where we were modeling traffic fairly well and with increased accuracy - on a computer. (Those three words, again...) So, you can weight my opinion based on that, if you want.
I'm actually quite familiar with the motive, method, and use-case for this sort of change in traffic patterns. They are doing this on low-speed, bi-directional, surface streets and rural lanes. That doesn't make it safe. Painted lines actually have a return on investment. That return includes safety.
I can't quite the UK estimates (they're probably similar) but a study from 1993 (so likely higher now) indicates that the estimate is that a single dollar spent on painting lines is worth $60 in realized value through increased safety, productivity, etc... And, obviously, that's subject to the Law of Diminishing Returns. There's a point where too many lines is not helping a damned thing (I'm looking at you Georgia) and the number is based on best-practices at the time. It's probably higher today than it was, it had been trending up for some time and those are unadjusted figures.
Try US International Keyboard layout. What OS are you using? With Linux, I just make sure that fcitx (don't blame me, I didn't name it) is running and that the settings are to set the International Keyboard as the default layout.
It is: "Keyboard - English (US) English (international AltGr dead keys)"
I don't *think* beta or even using the old post method impacts it. Try setting the same keyboard as that one (or the closest to it that your OS has) as the default for a minute and see if that does the trick? On Windows you just switch to the English - US International layout and set that as the default. Then, with that, I think it's a bit different to input it, namely using quotes without a space inserts accents and changes the characters. It's a bit quirky as I recall, you have to remember to press space after hitting a quote mark (single or double) or the next typed character will probably not be what you were aiming for.
Your post says "Option" which makes me think you're probably using Apple? That's sort of BSD-based, yes? I'm not overly familiar with the OS but I'm not an OS zealot of any type. I'm just not familiar with it. There's bound to be a US International keyboard layout. Try that, even if just to rule it out, and I am nearly certain that the "Option" key will not work regardless - I think it has to be "AltGr" or "dead key" input.
Heh, my memory's not too bad - I actually recalled that but I did not know that it was HUMINT. That means someone had to declassify it - an authorized person. Well, she's certainly authorized (and had an obligation, legal I think) to ensure that it was classified properly. That's a different bit of knowledge, thanks. I've read so many conflicting things and I'm not sure we'll ever know the full truth.
Aside: I did chuckle at the OT moderation. I'm pretty sure it was on-topic (a rarity for me). I suspect that means I've ruffled someone's jimmies. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to, but I see that as a good thing. Think before you vote, people. Think!
I understand that taxes went to pay for them to upgrade. However, I'm not sure that it'd be reasonable for me to expect that to include my location. Asking it to include every American citizen would be a bit crazy, don't you think? I'm sure I'm close to the edge of what is reasonable and what is not reasonable.
I am not as remote as a loner in Alaska that flew in to his camp/house six years ago and has only been able to get back to civilization twice since then (though that does have a certain level of appeal for me). I am, on the other hand, on the side of a mountain in Maine. I am about 24 miles from the village and it's gotta be something like another 45 miles to a real town. It's a lot further to a city.
If I weren't likely to be getting fiber, I'd probably just shrug. I'm not really sure where I am on the "reasonable scale."
Oh, ha! I just double checked. I didn't add that in my earlier post. I'm actually probably going to get fiber at my house before this next winter. No, I can't tell you who told me that.;-) However, it's a 'high probability.'
At any rate, I probably am getting access to fiber. It's going to be strung along the telephone poles so it's going to go down. Oh, that's not a question. It's going to go down - and probably frequently. I've had fiber access before - just not at my home in Maine. Fiber doesn't like being bent like it's going to be bent when the trees fall on it - and it's a certainty that trees are going to fall on it. They'll trim them as much as they reasonably can.
Err... I'll not give you exact directions but use Google maps to look around 24 miles from Rangeley, Maine. In some areas, we do have a wide berth for our utility lines. It's not quite enough, a tree hits it every year. That doesn't happen so much up near my way - it happens closer to town where they're less able to cut a giant swath of trees out without people frowning on it.
So, I'll be keeping DSL. I already have three disparate DSL connections. I'll probably run some of my own fiber, set up a trunk, and connect to that with a DSL failover automated in hardware. I'll probably drop one of the lines, maybe two.
But, what's reasonable? I mean, should I expect them to bring fiber to my particular house because they got some money (I think they got to keep a tax that was paid on phone/internet service?) at no additional cost to me? How about if I'm that guy out in Alaska with zero infrastructure at all? I'm not sure where I fit - it's already pretty much established that I'll have access to fiber soon but, if I didn't, should I be obligated to it? I'm kinda far out in the middle of nowhere. There are six residencies in my "neighborhood" (spanning many miles) and only four of them want 'net access. They've got DSL and I'm pretty sure zero of them will upgrade to fiber when it is an option. There are two who want nothing at all - one doesn't have a phone and isn't interested in the 'net and the other one doesn't have power or even running water and they're both by choice.
There's about three miles out of the village that might get some users and then there's pretty much nothing until until you get to my "neighborhood." Oh, I've paid some serious taxes. I've paid more in taxes than many people will earn in their lifetime. But, what's reasonable? Where is that line drawn?
I ask because I don't really know. Buggered if I know. I'm sure there's a reasonable and unreasonable point (fiber is expensive and it's really expensive to maintain it up here) and I'm not quite sure if I'm past the unreasonable point or not. I am not even the most remote. There are people, in my State, who are more remote than I am with *miles* of phone line that may have not been really touched in 50 years except to do repairs. What does unreasonable look like?
I just noticed this sub-thread. Some friends and I call those the "Scoreboard." And, when reasonably safe to do so, we'll usually go out and see how high we can get the numbers with safety and not getting caught being the objective. Camera based enforcement is not used near my home. I'm not even sure if it's lawful to use cameras for speed enforcement in my State.
We've got a pretty active ACLU (I donate a bunch 'cause they're that good) and some actually protective laws. They can't use the license plate readers without a warrant in Maine. That may sound a bit crazy but no... They're not allowed to do automatic license plate acquisition without a warrant and they need to store the data for something like less than thirty days. Having to have a warrant makes license plate readers kind of useless so we don't have them. I am not a lawyer so I'm not sure of all the details.
We just had a law take effect recently and that pretty much ensures that police must get a warrant to use a drone in an investigation and that it's gotta be a real warrant, we don't have a FISA court type of thing. You can see that law in PDF format at this link: http://legislature.maine.gov/l... (It's probably at the first linked site as well.)
We have an "Implied Warranty of Merchantability." That means, if you sold it to someone in the State of Maine it has to be free from defect and operate (key word) as long as would be reasonably expected to operate. You can just Google that one.
I intentionally have DSL. It's on the phone lines so if my ISP annoys me, I can fire 'em. I can use any provider willing to service my area - even if they're in Hong Kong. The line owner has no choice but to lease the lines at a reasonable price (pretty much without profit) or our PUC can, and will, come stomping in.
The list goes on but I retired to Maine and one of the reasons that I selected Maine was the justice system. It's not perfect but it's pretty good. It's exceptionally good when compared to some of the other States.
Oh, ha... I went and looked - Camera speed and red-light enforcement is illegal in the State of Maine. (So aren't billboards.) But, yeah, they can't actually use those in my home state. The cops are not allowed. If they want to stop speeders, they can go out and patrol the roads. If they want to watch a light-controlled intersection (there aren't that many, really) then they can go sit in the intersection and watch that intersection.
They're not even allowed to hide their vehicles - that's entrapment in Maine. Not even an unmarked vehicle is allowed to do certain things, hiding is pretty much not allowed. A "speed trap" means the cop at least has his headlights on and clearly visible at night.
Well, now I've gone and done it.:/ I've not only babbled at you again but you'll be trying to move to Maine next. It's kind of nice to have a government that sometimes actually does the right thing.
Yeah, it's a bit complex. As I recall, the UK story was a bit biased in its presentation - if it's the same one that I'm thinking of. I was actually hoping you *did* have some research to support that (I have my reasons!) and I'd have been all about reading those studies.
Specifically, I think the UK removed it because it cause more hassle than it was worth. There are some litigation issues and they have a bit different justice system there than we have in the US which means I'm not sure of all of the specifics. That might also have been the town that was ripping them out because they weren't paying for themselves well enough - money was going to a third party system provider.
In the US, you're accountable for your vehicle - even if you're not driving it. The only time you're not accountable is when you have not granted authority to use the vehicle. That would be a valid defense to contest an automated speeding ticket but the burden of proof for civil matters is much lower and the 6th Amendment does not grant legal council in civil matters - only in criminal matters. In the UK, it's a little less cut and dried.
Here, in the US, you are responsible for the actions taken by the person you authorized to use your vehicle. It's shared culpability and you could, theoretically at least, then sue the authorized party to recoup your losses. As far as I know, neither of those is *strictly* true in the UK. In the US, for example, some jurisdictions may opt to file criminal charges if you allow an unlicensed person to operate your vehicle. I don't know if that's true in the UK.
If it's the story that I'm thinking of, there was also some backlash and vandalism. People were going out of their way to react to the camera - including speeding just to blow the numbers up and then the owner giving an alibi and saying that it must have been unauthorized use. Which is amusing, truly. I don't think that can be written as having no effect at all.
I still have some ties to the transportation/traffic industry, even though I sold and retired, and being able to throw down some hard numbers would be awesome. Right now, I'm a bit limited to saying that it's not unconstitutional but that unmanned enforcement takes away the accused right to face their accuser. A person who watches a video feed (what they usually use) is not your accuser - they're a reporter. So far, that's gotten me exactly nothing.
It's also important to note that there are cultural differences with traffic behavior. They're much larger differences, or can be, than many people realize. I posted a few comments in this thread about that and, in case you don't know or haven't guessed, I was heavily involved in traffic modeling (thus consulting, engineer, data acquisition, optimizing, predicting, etc) for a long time and I sold back in 2007.
The studies that I have read, and am familiar with, apply to the US. There are some agencies who will do so but I can tell you, it's foolish to try to make assumptions like that. There are very real and very different influences that go into traffic behaviors. So, you may well find a country where drivers had no reaction or even were able to show that it offered no improvement at all. Even a single State, in the US, can have vastly different results. To extrapolate across continents, without doing further research, is a fools errand - so you may find there's an area where it has no effect. I just don't know of any.
At any rate, sorry for the length but that doesn't all fit well o a bumper sticker and I kind of like the chance to discuss (and learn!) what my career was based on. It should be noted that I am of the opinion where I'm unconvinced that the benefits outweigh the fact that this not only strips away the right to face the accuser (not an accuser) and that such an interpretation was upheld by the SCOTUS.
Thanks for the feedback, it gives me food for thought. So far, I've only seen limited area studies. I wonder if they're cherry-picking locations to avoid giving a more complete story. No
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I, and presumably you, can not even worry (though we might not like it) if they take 20% of our income. If you take $2000 out of $10000 that's must more painful than taking $20,000 out of $100,000.
If the subject is a business, it's actually pretty easy to avoid making much of a profit at all. For example, if you own your own business then just pay yourself a salary and pay the taxes on that. The business isn't taxed, really, you are. To the IRS, that's a legitimate business expense. Open a new office, give folks a raise, or whatever and those become expenses and the profit is less... Then, well, you add in depreciation and all sorts of things - it gets pretty damned complicated.
Which leads to this: Those who can better afford it are more able to take advantage of the loopholes. I don't think it's possible to set up a tax system that does not have potential for abuse. Sadly, those who can benefit the most are the least able to afford the professionals to do their taxes. I recommend everyone hire an accountant and pay a lawyer, and I recommend that they consider incorporation, but many people can't justify the expense. Oddly enough, they probably *could* justify the expense (in many cases) based on how much they'll save but many folks don't seem to look at it like that.
Finally, I've said this before but I think it bears repeating, I don't think my government has an income problem so much as it has a spending problem. I have no problem with the amount I pay in taxes and could easily bear a higher tax burden but I'm not just going to give it to them so long as I can (legally) avoid it. We've got enough bombers, aircraft carriers, and tanks.
If they're not shutting them down and they're still producing power then are they really reducing their carbon output? If it's just additional capacity then I'm not sure there's actually a reduction going on.
No slight intended, and certainly none directed towards you, but Slashdot is a fine example of your post being largely correct. If there's an insanity or illogical position to hold, and to hold firmly, someone here has that conviction. I truly mean no slight, it's one of the things that make Slashdot what Slashdot is.
People seem inclined to believe China will get involved. It's not the 1950s anymore and the 1970s were a long time ago. I tend to believe a modern China will accept, and believe, any nation that attacks N. Korea so long as they publicly state that they've no intention of going onto Chinese soil and, of course, also send the same message(s) through on the back-end diplomatic channels.
I've yet to figure out what they'll do to/with the refugees. I'm also not able to speculate if they'd offer material assistance (such as allowing aircraft refueling and flights over their soil) if their antics were bad enough so that this happened.
Thoughts?
I am not arguing with you but I do want to point out that you're assuming responsible actors. That's the same reason that a "pure" political ideology or economics model can not work. (Like pure capitalism and pure democracy or anarchy.)
Mr. Asshole, thanks. And I re-read my post and stand by everything I said. Do you not take the time to ensure your tools work properly? Do you not take the time to keep them in peak condition? No? Well then don't be surprised when the tools don't work right.
The same thing applies to automobiles except automobiles get driven down the road, unlike a planer. And, seeing as I'm being a smug asshole, learn to drive. Just 'cause you got your license doesn't mean you can take additional courses. There are classes across the globe, most of them aren't that expensive. Many of them are held on the weekends. Some have night courses.
Inspect your tools, make sure they work properly, and use them to your best ability. Yup. That's a whole lot to ask and even suggesting that we not lower things to the lowest common denominator makes me smug as all hell.
I can't do a lot of testing right now but I have uBlock installed and I did not unblock anything - I just went and downloaded CloneZilla. It's been the same version of uBlock for a while now. I don't actually recall ever unblocking SourceForge. Ever. I've been using uMatrix and uBlock for a very long time. I also sometimes get things from SourceForge - on a fairly regular basis but much less stuff as of late. Certainly much less often than I used to visit.
So, no block here with uBlock. I've got some older versions of it stashed away and can spin up a VM if anyone really wants to see what happens. But, alas, I am not really supposed to be here right now. I'm supposed to be drinking cocoa.
I just noticed this thread. It's gonna have to interrupt cocoa and movie time for a minute.
I just wanted to reiterate the above sentiments and add that it's timely - I'm getting back into coding, it has been a long time, and I always just put it my code out there. I can say that I'm kind of pissed about the whole thing to begin with. I'll also add that such is not your fault - and I'd not blame you for it. So, I can see fit to put my stuff on SourceForge. Somewhere, I've an older account there too. I don't even recall the username. ;-)
At any rate, there's no need for you to reply (but you can). I'm just happy to see you being people of your word. You said it was being attended to, it has been attended to. Trust me, we're looking for faults. I've yet to find any faults of significance and am happy to have you as our new overlords. If you're nice, we'll even let you pretend to be the boss once in a while.
Well, I'll let you. I can't speak for the OP AC or anything. They seem *really* disinclined to accept that you, and your company, are not responsible and that Slashdot has new overlords now.
I for one, welcome our malware-killing, personally-interacting, word-keeping, overlords. However, I'm still waiting on that picture and I just bumped into that 50 post/day limit just yesterday. I am not a big movie fan so I'll cheat and keep reading the thread on a laptop.
On that note, the missus says I have to go now. You neither fuck nor feed me, so I guess you can't be the boss at the moment. ;-)
> Key operational controls should either work the same, or look and feel completely different to ensure that users' muscle memory doesn't result in inadvertent operation.
I'm going to have to disagree with that sentiment. I'd rather avoid the lowest common denominator as an end-goal and I'd rather we actually only let people drive who are going to operate their vehicle safely. The onus is on the driver to know what the required switches do and where they're located, within reason - I don't think I'm really asking all that much, prior to operating the vehicle on a public road.
Put your seatbelt on, find the light controls, the wiper controls, figure out how to use them, figure out how the shifting actually works, learn the shift pattern, test brakes and clutch to ensure they're working, figure out the temperature controls well enough, leave the radio off for the first bit - it's a new car, make sure everything is adjusted, ensure the proper documentation is in place, that sort of thing... No, not every time you get in the car, every time you get in an unfamiliar car...
For fun, I'd like to put you into a mid-1980s Saab 900. You'll be forever just figuring out how to get it started. The shifting pattern's pretty easy but some models had a little variations.
At any rate, always at least do a quick walk around the car prior to operation. Lift the hood once in a while and check fluids and fill them or have someone else do it. Check the wear indicators on the tires, check to see (or use a gauge) that the tires are inflated properly, check the spare and the jack, see if there's a tool kit, make sure you've got the "key" if you have locked lug nuts, check wiper condition, etc... No, not every time - but certainly the first time you're going to drive something.
I don't think a decent familiarity is too much to ask for - doubly so, if you own it. There are still features on my car that I don't know how to use. I'll probably never learn how to use an app to control my stereo or to bluetooth to my stereo. It's gotta plug... I don't know how to use the GPS - I didn't want that but it was not optional. I have a separate GPS and my phone has one. But, I know how to operate the vehicle safely and, if I want to learn those things, I'll either read the manual or I'll just go sit in the car, at idle, and poke buttons until I figure it out.
At any rate, I'd type more but that's the gist of it. I have to go have a cup of cocoa with the missus. She wants to watch a scary movie and wants company. I'll almost surely bring my laptop but it'll be a minute and I want to make sure I send this before I forget.
I don't think that I'm asking too much here. I also don't support aiming for the lowest common denominator or limiting design choices because people were unwilling to take the time to learn to operate their tools. I must ask, do you think we should do the same things with computers? Should they be design limited to avoid people getting confused and not having to learn how to use their tools or should we have choices and accept that some people are just too not going to follow best practice?
I'm an automobile enthusiast - I've mentioned this, and even shown some pics of my favorites, countless times. It's disheartening to hear you suggest that I should be limited simply because people won't take the time to learn how to safely operate the tools they are using. Also, a Volvo can be a lot of fun. I've a restored and modified 1982 Volvo 245. It is not factory. It's a whole bowl of fun. It's also like a tank. Meh, I'd probably let you drive that. I've other stuff that you'd find more interesting. If you're not going to take the time to operate them properly, I'd probably not let you drive them.
At any rate, that's disheartening to read. Even more so at Slashdot. I don't think a cup of cocoa can fix that. But now she's back upstairs and poking me. So, I gotta go. At least she spared you from one of my novellas?
Most excellent. I'm going to presume you'll not go stalking me? I've met a whole bunch of Slashdotters (well, at least a couple dozen) in real life and none of them have yet stalked me or harassed me. In fact, we got along quite well. I see you have me on your "foes" list. I don't mind that, that doesn't bother me at all. However, it'd make things simpler just to give you my full name so that you can verify it - presumably that's what you'd like to do. I'm okay with that but, well... Frankly, I'm not exactly sure what you'll do with that information - others have it. What will you do with it once you're done and have the answers you want? You've already indicated that you don't like me. I presume you're reasonably mature but I've no way of knowing that.
Let me try this and we'll see where it goes. I might as well at least demonstrate that I don't pull numbers out of my ass. I don't know when you where in the industry last but, here's a citation for that figure that I gave you about striping and the value of it:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publi...
Now, to put this particular issue in perspective, without data (and three routes is not adequate) I can't support (if you read what I wrote) removing lane markings. In fact, I'll need a lot of data before I would suggest doing so on any scale that's measurable. That does not mean it does not have value - it means I'll need to see more evidence. Now, what to add to that? I suppose this might turn out pretty long.
That should also mean that I don't think it would be cost effective, or a large enough enhancement in safety, to go removing the center lane marking from roads where the drivers are used to it. Unless you have very compelling evidence, you do not make great alterations. Why? The changes have a negative value of their own and the added confusion with some drivers (likely not as much in the UK as they spend longer learning to drive and have a more stringent test than we have in the US) will be yet another negative. How much of a negative? Well, I really don't have that sort of data sitting here in front of me - which is one of the reasons I mentioned that I'd need more data to make an informed choice.
They are removing a known good safety feature. A known good safety feature. I'm loathe to say that I know that's a bad thing (which is why I'd not say such a thing) but I will say that they need some damned good evidence to convince me of the value of that choice. It's 9:00 at night - I can actually make a few phone calls and see if anyone knows anything about this tomorrow, if you really want.
And, lest I forget, if you live around Georgia you should be familiar with Georgia. They have the tendency to, well... Be a bit zealous, it's not just lines. Ever notice the I-95 corridor's signage at exit ramps? Even if you go out to the swamp, they've stuck paint on everything and have signs everywhere they don't have paint. That's only a slight exaggeration. Count the "NO PARKING" signs, on the side of I-95, near any of the intersections. If you go out back towards the swamp (I forget the root but heading over from Dothan I believe) you'll find a section of the road that has been painted with airplanes - and a bunch of lines that don't appear to actually have anything to do with the fact that the area's designated as an emergency landing strip. That's not that abnormal - except these stenciled airplanes go well past the straight and flat section and go all the way around a couple of corners.
That's some overzealous marking - and check the signage around Atlanta (around the 285 as I recall?) where they've got signs for everything. Some of them don't even make sense! In the days before GPS was ubiquitous, I once followed seemingly every sign in the area (on and around that bypass) to find a suburb that began with an M... It wasn't Marietta, I know where that is and I remember the name. I followed them all... I turns out, When I wasn't on the bypass, I was missing
You don't have to read the entire manual - you should read or have shown to you the method to properly put the car into gear and remove it from gear if it's not clearly labeled. I've got some of the strangest shift patterns you've ever seen in some of my vehicles. I'd certainly not make any assumptions where shifting is concerned. If you can't access the manual and nobody is there to give you instruction, don't drive it. If you feel you must, do so in a safe area where there are no other people to get hurt. Then, once you've figured out how to safely operate the vehicle, drive it.
You don't have to know how to set the stereo. You do have to know how to operate the basic vehicle functions safely. Shifting is a pretty basic function. I can confidently say that I'd ask for instruction in this particular model but that's kind of cheating. (I know how this one shifts but I've never done it with this particular model - I'd be certain to ask or read the manual.)
I suppose you don't do a visual inspection of your vehicle prior to driving it? No worries, most people don't. Yes, yes I do. I'd say I do so roughly 80% of the time and 100% of the time if I'm in the midst of some longer trip, haven't driven that vehicle in a while, or have been pushing the vehicle hard. I like to drive, that includes track driving, rally driving, and I've even taken classroom lessons and then hired a coach and rented exotics to laps at Nurburgring. On the road, it's not just my life that I'm risking. I know how to operate the vehicle and that the vehicle is exhibiting signs of being properly maintained.
I do not read the manual but I do ensure I know how it functions, up to and and including asking the owner to show me. My friends and I own some rather odd cars. Some of them are rather pricey. Some of them are pretty complicated. I understand every necessary function, including shift patterns, before I drive it.
My own cars? I not only read the manual but I buy and read the actual factory technicians manual and Haynes or Chilton's manuals when I can. Why would you want to operate a tool without knowing its use? Why risk your own safety and the safety of others. There's a time and place to risk your own safety and the safety of willing participants. We call that track day or race day. The public didn't opt in for me driving around risking their lives by being too lazy to understand the necessary functions of the vehicle. And yes, proper shifting is indeed a necessary function.
I'm not kidding - I've got vehicles you probably couldn't even figure out how to start unless someone showed you or you read the manual.
Heh! I read your link. I'm the asshole that shows up and rolls his window down as he goes by you and asks if you want a ride. You know you want to say yes...
I usually prefer a snowmobile for that sort of stuff. When I was young, and more stupid, I used to go ride my bike on the ice - when it had no snow on it. We went through great lengths to figurer that out. I'd break a hip if I tried it today.
I must admit, your trek looks like fun but, alas, I am lazy. Somehow, I am in good shape. No, I have no idea how. I'd drive to the kitchen if I could figure out how to get down the stairs and back up them. I have taken a friend's ice bike out on a lake but that was motorized and had giant spikes in the tires. I'm pretty sure that's not the same. You know, I don't think I actually own a bike with pedals. There are a couple in the garage down here at this place but I have no idea where they came from and they're both kids bikes. They do have owners now but that's a very, very long story.
https://news.google.com/newspa...
That's the first one I came across. I've not had much sleep so you can take that and run with it or just use that one study.
No, nothing to be "proud" about, I don't think. Still, a bit more than none. It's very far from where we could be - in both directions. IOW, don't despair. We'll be all good. I'd like to be in a much different place but I don't really get to control that and nobody I vote for is ever elected. :/
Are you retarded? Seriously, are you mentally retarded? Where, with what, did I indicate that the problem is exclusive to China? How the fuck did you get that from anything I've ever said, ever? I have a whole post history, many thousands of posts, and I've never once indicated that I held any such belief - including in the post you fucking replied to.
Wow, this site's filling up with stupid people. Read what I wrote, not what you want to think I wrote.
Why would I search for something else to give you a citation for what you asked for? I'm well aware of fraud happening in other countries. I'm pretty sure that I made no mention of China being exclusive to this.
The only thing I pointed out is that you're not a scientist. I made no argument. Follow the fucking thread. You asked someone for a citation, I gave it to you because you're obviously not smart enough to do it on your own. You didn't ask ME for the citation, try to keep up. Dumb ass.
It is your job to know full, safe, operation methods prior to operating the vehicle. Yes, it means needing to learn a few things and cars have man differences between them. I have more than one car that you probably couldn't even figure out how to start, never mind get into motion. Learn to operate the vehicle prior to operating the vehicle.
Yes, I see why it is being done. I'm just not certain that it's a good idea and will need significant proof to demonstrate that it is a good idea. It may be a good idea - I do not know. I don't think anyone knows.
Further, I'd certainly not extrapolate this to mean that it's a good idea anywhere else except those places which mimic the UK driving culture. Much like I'd not suggest we make unilateral choices based on US data, I'd also suggest the same thing for the UK. The variations in driving culture/behaviors are quite remarkable.
Sorry if you were confused but those were some examples where I would not be surprised to find it might work as well as making it clear that I'd need some proof to recommend that to anyone. They'll need to demonstrate that there's reason to believe that it's safer as regards the entire stretch of road where they're making those changes.
Why is it salient as to what I might recommend? Well, that's up to you to judge but I was paid quite handsomely to do exactly that, and more, prior to selling and retiring. This is, quite specifically, something my company would have done. Well, they still do it - I'm just no longer the owner. They're still quite successful at it. I didn't do it on my own but I was kind of "the guy" who brought the industry forward to where we were modeling traffic fairly well and with increased accuracy - on a computer. (Those three words, again...) So, you can weight my opinion based on that, if you want.
I'm actually quite familiar with the motive, method, and use-case for this sort of change in traffic patterns. They are doing this on low-speed, bi-directional, surface streets and rural lanes. That doesn't make it safe. Painted lines actually have a return on investment. That return includes safety.
I can't quite the UK estimates (they're probably similar) but a study from 1993 (so likely higher now) indicates that the estimate is that a single dollar spent on painting lines is worth $60 in realized value through increased safety, productivity, etc... And, obviously, that's subject to the Law of Diminishing Returns. There's a point where too many lines is not helping a damned thing (I'm looking at you Georgia) and the number is based on best-practices at the time. It's probably higher today than it was, it had been trending up for some time and those are unadjusted figures.
Try US International Keyboard layout. What OS are you using? With Linux, I just make sure that fcitx (don't blame me, I didn't name it) is running and that the settings are to set the International Keyboard as the default layout.
It is: "Keyboard - English (US) English (international AltGr dead keys)"
I don't *think* beta or even using the old post method impacts it. Try setting the same keyboard as that one (or the closest to it that your OS has) as the default for a minute and see if that does the trick? On Windows you just switch to the English - US International layout and set that as the default. Then, with that, I think it's a bit different to input it, namely using quotes without a space inserts accents and changes the characters. It's a bit quirky as I recall, you have to remember to press space after hitting a quote mark (single or double) or the next typed character will probably not be what you were aiming for.
Your post says "Option" which makes me think you're probably using Apple? That's sort of BSD-based, yes? I'm not overly familiar with the OS but I'm not an OS zealot of any type. I'm just not familiar with it. There's bound to be a US International keyboard layout. Try that, even if just to rule it out, and I am nearly certain that the "Option" key will not work regardless - I think it has to be "AltGr" or "dead key" input.
I probably need batteries for my meter. :/
Heh, my memory's not too bad - I actually recalled that but I did not know that it was HUMINT. That means someone had to declassify it - an authorized person. Well, she's certainly authorized (and had an obligation, legal I think) to ensure that it was classified properly. That's a different bit of knowledge, thanks. I've read so many conflicting things and I'm not sure we'll ever know the full truth.
Aside: I did chuckle at the OT moderation. I'm pretty sure it was on-topic (a rarity for me). I suspect that means I've ruffled someone's jimmies. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to, but I see that as a good thing. Think before you vote, people. Think!
I understand that taxes went to pay for them to upgrade. However, I'm not sure that it'd be reasonable for me to expect that to include my location. Asking it to include every American citizen would be a bit crazy, don't you think? I'm sure I'm close to the edge of what is reasonable and what is not reasonable.
I am not as remote as a loner in Alaska that flew in to his camp/house six years ago and has only been able to get back to civilization twice since then (though that does have a certain level of appeal for me). I am, on the other hand, on the side of a mountain in Maine. I am about 24 miles from the village and it's gotta be something like another 45 miles to a real town. It's a lot further to a city.
If I weren't likely to be getting fiber, I'd probably just shrug. I'm not really sure where I am on the "reasonable scale."
Oh, ha! I just double checked. I didn't add that in my earlier post. I'm actually probably going to get fiber at my house before this next winter. No, I can't tell you who told me that. ;-) However, it's a 'high probability.'
At any rate, I probably am getting access to fiber. It's going to be strung along the telephone poles so it's going to go down. Oh, that's not a question. It's going to go down - and probably frequently. I've had fiber access before - just not at my home in Maine. Fiber doesn't like being bent like it's going to be bent when the trees fall on it - and it's a certainty that trees are going to fall on it. They'll trim them as much as they reasonably can.
Err... I'll not give you exact directions but use Google maps to look around 24 miles from Rangeley, Maine. In some areas, we do have a wide berth for our utility lines. It's not quite enough, a tree hits it every year. That doesn't happen so much up near my way - it happens closer to town where they're less able to cut a giant swath of trees out without people frowning on it.
So, I'll be keeping DSL. I already have three disparate DSL connections. I'll probably run some of my own fiber, set up a trunk, and connect to that with a DSL failover automated in hardware. I'll probably drop one of the lines, maybe two.
But, what's reasonable? I mean, should I expect them to bring fiber to my particular house because they got some money (I think they got to keep a tax that was paid on phone/internet service?) at no additional cost to me? How about if I'm that guy out in Alaska with zero infrastructure at all? I'm not sure where I fit - it's already pretty much established that I'll have access to fiber soon but, if I didn't, should I be obligated to it? I'm kinda far out in the middle of nowhere. There are six residencies in my "neighborhood" (spanning many miles) and only four of them want 'net access. They've got DSL and I'm pretty sure zero of them will upgrade to fiber when it is an option. There are two who want nothing at all - one doesn't have a phone and isn't interested in the 'net and the other one doesn't have power or even running water and they're both by choice.
There's about three miles out of the village that might get some users and then there's pretty much nothing until until you get to my "neighborhood." Oh, I've paid some serious taxes. I've paid more in taxes than many people will earn in their lifetime. But, what's reasonable? Where is that line drawn?
I ask because I don't really know. Buggered if I know. I'm sure there's a reasonable and unreasonable point (fiber is expensive and it's really expensive to maintain it up here) and I'm not quite sure if I'm past the unreasonable point or not. I am not even the most remote. There are people, in my State, who are more remote than I am with *miles* of phone line that may have not been really touched in 50 years except to do repairs. What does unreasonable look like?
I just noticed this sub-thread. Some friends and I call those the "Scoreboard." And, when reasonably safe to do so, we'll usually go out and see how high we can get the numbers with safety and not getting caught being the objective. Camera based enforcement is not used near my home. I'm not even sure if it's lawful to use cameras for speed enforcement in my State.
We've got a pretty active ACLU (I donate a bunch 'cause they're that good) and some actually protective laws. They can't use the license plate readers without a warrant in Maine. That may sound a bit crazy but no... They're not allowed to do automatic license plate acquisition without a warrant and they need to store the data for something like less than thirty days. Having to have a warrant makes license plate readers kind of useless so we don't have them. I am not a lawyer so I'm not sure of all the details.
Ah - I just checked. It's 21 days. You can read it for yourself:
http://www.mainelegislature.or...
We just had a law take effect recently and that pretty much ensures that police must get a warrant to use a drone in an investigation and that it's gotta be a real warrant, we don't have a FISA court type of thing. You can see that law in PDF format at this link:
http://legislature.maine.gov/l... (It's probably at the first linked site as well.)
We have an "Implied Warranty of Merchantability." That means, if you sold it to someone in the State of Maine it has to be free from defect and operate (key word) as long as would be reasonably expected to operate. You can just Google that one.
I intentionally have DSL. It's on the phone lines so if my ISP annoys me, I can fire 'em. I can use any provider willing to service my area - even if they're in Hong Kong. The line owner has no choice but to lease the lines at a reasonable price (pretty much without profit) or our PUC can, and will, come stomping in.
The list goes on but I retired to Maine and one of the reasons that I selected Maine was the justice system. It's not perfect but it's pretty good. It's exceptionally good when compared to some of the other States.
Oh, ha... I went and looked - Camera speed and red-light enforcement is illegal in the State of Maine. (So aren't billboards.) But, yeah, they can't actually use those in my home state. The cops are not allowed. If they want to stop speeders, they can go out and patrol the roads. If they want to watch a light-controlled intersection (there aren't that many, really) then they can go sit in the intersection and watch that intersection.
They're not even allowed to hide their vehicles - that's entrapment in Maine. Not even an unmarked vehicle is allowed to do certain things, hiding is pretty much not allowed. A "speed trap" means the cop at least has his headlights on and clearly visible at night.
Well, now I've gone and done it. :/ I've not only babbled at you again but you'll be trying to move to Maine next. It's kind of nice to have a government that sometimes actually does the right thing.
Yeah, it's a bit complex. As I recall, the UK story was a bit biased in its presentation - if it's the same one that I'm thinking of. I was actually hoping you *did* have some research to support that (I have my reasons!) and I'd have been all about reading those studies.
Specifically, I think the UK removed it because it cause more hassle than it was worth. There are some litigation issues and they have a bit different justice system there than we have in the US which means I'm not sure of all of the specifics. That might also have been the town that was ripping them out because they weren't paying for themselves well enough - money was going to a third party system provider.
In the US, you're accountable for your vehicle - even if you're not driving it. The only time you're not accountable is when you have not granted authority to use the vehicle. That would be a valid defense to contest an automated speeding ticket but the burden of proof for civil matters is much lower and the 6th Amendment does not grant legal council in civil matters - only in criminal matters. In the UK, it's a little less cut and dried.
Here, in the US, you are responsible for the actions taken by the person you authorized to use your vehicle. It's shared culpability and you could, theoretically at least, then sue the authorized party to recoup your losses. As far as I know, neither of those is *strictly* true in the UK. In the US, for example, some jurisdictions may opt to file criminal charges if you allow an unlicensed person to operate your vehicle. I don't know if that's true in the UK.
If it's the story that I'm thinking of, there was also some backlash and vandalism. People were going out of their way to react to the camera - including speeding just to blow the numbers up and then the owner giving an alibi and saying that it must have been unauthorized use. Which is amusing, truly. I don't think that can be written as having no effect at all.
I still have some ties to the transportation/traffic industry, even though I sold and retired, and being able to throw down some hard numbers would be awesome. Right now, I'm a bit limited to saying that it's not unconstitutional but that unmanned enforcement takes away the accused right to face their accuser. A person who watches a video feed (what they usually use) is not your accuser - they're a reporter. So far, that's gotten me exactly nothing.
It's also important to note that there are cultural differences with traffic behavior. They're much larger differences, or can be, than many people realize. I posted a few comments in this thread about that and, in case you don't know or haven't guessed, I was heavily involved in traffic modeling (thus consulting, engineer, data acquisition, optimizing, predicting, etc) for a long time and I sold back in 2007.
The studies that I have read, and am familiar with, apply to the US. There are some agencies who will do so but I can tell you, it's foolish to try to make assumptions like that. There are very real and very different influences that go into traffic behaviors. So, you may well find a country where drivers had no reaction or even were able to show that it offered no improvement at all. Even a single State, in the US, can have vastly different results. To extrapolate across continents, without doing further research, is a fools errand - so you may find there's an area where it has no effect. I just don't know of any.
At any rate, sorry for the length but that doesn't all fit well o a bumper sticker and I kind of like the chance to discuss (and learn!) what my career was based on. It should be noted that I am of the opinion where I'm unconvinced that the benefits outweigh the fact that this not only strips away the right to face the accuser (not an accuser) and that such an interpretation was upheld by the SCOTUS.
Thanks for the feedback, it gives me food for thought. So far, I've only seen limited area studies. I wonder if they're cherry-picking locations to avoid giving a more complete story. No