[Scan-DC] OT: License Plate Readers

[Benjy Messner]

Right - this still misses the point(s), though.

1) Dewey actually understates the case when he writes that "a certain
jurisdiction was 'caught' shortening yellow" lights.  MULTIPLE
jurisdictions have been caught doing this
(http://blog.motorists.org/6-cities-that-were-caught-shortening-yellow-ligh
t-times-for-profit/ is the first example of a list from a quick Google
search).  FHWA publishes a uniform recommendation for yellow light
lengths, to ensure that all drivers have the same expectations (3-6
seconds).  Shortening the lengths of yellow lights not only violates those
expectations, but also can lead to increased accident rates
(http://www.nationaljournal.com/domesticpolicy/dreaded-yellow-light-may-be-
trap-for-traffic-violations-20121121).  And if the point of red light
cameras is to decrease accidents, then it seems at best a little perverse
to shorten yellow lights and end up with a net increase in accidents.  The
National Journal article I linked to references a study that showed that
lengthening yellow lights by merely one second can reduce intersection
collisions by up to 40%.  So...if shortening yellow lights results in more
accidents, what other reason could there be for doing so?  Could it be
"revenue enhancement?" (And, to be clear, I'm not an anti-tax zealot, I
just strongly believe that collecting revenue this way is at best
disingenuous and ineffective long-term.  Think about all the people who
briefly slow down to avoid getting zapped by the camera and then speed
right back up.  It's also a highly regressive form of taxation.)

2) Just because they can write tickets all day long doesn't mean that
doing so is the best policy to address people running red lights or
speeding.  This policy lets rich people opt-out of laws by deciding that
paying the fine (and there are almost never points attached to camera
tickets) is worth committing the crime.  I would hope that we still as a
general rule don't let people do that in our system of justice.  A more
effective strategy might be to simply sentence offenders to community
service: still would be somewhat regressive, but being forced to give up a
weekend to rake leaves on the shoulder or whatever it is would have an
effect even on the richest among us, especially since their time is more
valuable on an hourly basis than those who earn less.

Just my two cents.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jordan Hayes <jmhayes at j-o-r-d-a-n.com>
Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 14:03
To: <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] OT: License Plate Readers

> So I guess you've NEVER driven through a red light...

I've gotten my share of tickets, but everyone knows that they could
write tickets all day long.

So now they found a way to write tickets all day long and ... what?

*shrug*

/jordan 

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