LAist: Senate Bill Could Bring Speed Cameras to California

kristinester

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:58:18 -0800

Why would cops still have their quotas? Because both the city of LA and the state of California are so far into the red, that they need any form of income they can. Speeding tickets are a major source of income. Of course this brings to mind a question. Say you're speeding, and the camera catches you. Then a couple miles down the freeway, a CHP unit pulls you over for speeding. Given that it was one instance within oh, a 10 minute time span, would you have to pay both tickets or would one be dismissed?

kristinester

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:58:03 -0800

bbkong

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:17:59 -0800

I'm surprised no one recognises this for what it really is-creeping Big Brotherism. If cameras are ok at lighted interesections, then they should be ok on every high occupancy lane and in your front room, right? They're already on your local atm, your grocery store, liquor store and who knows where else? How about some cameras in our state legislators offices?

AlexT

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:26:26 -0800

Why would cops still have their quotas? That could easily be changed, particularly since presumably it's policy and not law. Of course there are aspects to safe driving other than speed, but I question whether some of the drivers out there are safe at any speed. Anyhow, what's wrong with the gov't making money, if it pays for schools and it simultaneously creates additional disincentive to speeding?

kristinester

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:50:35 -0800

@AlexT Cops seem to focus on writing traffic tickets because they do have quotas that they have to meet in order to generate tax revenue. These cameras are another way to do this. Even when it finally gets to the point where the cameras have generated enough revenue to pay for the initial installation and upkeep, cops will still have their quotas. It's just another way for the state to attempt to make money for the city and the state.

AlexT

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:27:28 -0800

It's probably just the militant biker in me but I'm ok with this, in fact I support it. Cops countywide seem to focus on their perceived duty to facilitate traffic flow and enforce civility. That's not their job, they're there to enforce the law, and frankly I'd prefer it if they spent more time on community policing and less on issuing tickets. This is a win-win, people are going to think twice before zooming along city streets at 80mph risking pedestrian and cyclists lives, and cops can return to more substantive work.

samkim

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:56:29 -0800

they have these in place in korea and let me tell you, it acauses some of the most horrific accidents/congested traffic ever... although that might just be b/c of the high concentration of bad asian drivers in that area...

inertia

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:22:18 -0800

Welcome to The Socialist Wasteland of Cally-phone-ya.

CityofDodgers

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:12:18 -0800

Ahahahahahah...awesome. How are we going to solve freeway congestion? Slow everyone down! I went to college in Tempe, AZ for two years where they had speed cameras hidden along the roads. At least Tempe would give you a warning a few feet before the camera. Other cities, like Scottsdale, would park a white van loaded with photography equipment on the side of the road and nail one speeder after another. Drivers would be cruising a little over 35 and all of a sudden a flash would go off and scare the crap out of them. And then they'd get a fat ticket mailed home... In regards to the freeway cameras, AZ also had these. People knew where they were and slowed down accordingly. What a waste of of tax money. So what do I really think? I think Bob Dutton is an idiot. He should be punished by having to commute from Orange County to LA everyday (anytime from 1:00 - 7:00 pm) for 6 months. Everyone knows you can go LA-OC in 30 mins at 1:00 a.m... I'll let him choose between the 5 and 405. Oh, and when traffic is too congested by the airport and he exits the 405 at Crenshaw or La Tijera, may he get nailed by a hidden speed camera.

panasonicyouth

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:05:42 -0800

I hate those stupid cameras. While I recognize that it does nab a lot of drivers who are irresponsible and poor drivers where human cops can't compete, it creates unsafe environments in the intersections where they are used. I work right up the street from one at Cahuenga and Vine and I'll be damned if I don't see a car almost cause an accident once a week trying to rush through the intersection to beat the camera light. This includes nearly hitting pedestrians and other cars exercising their legal right of way. What purpose would these serve on the freeway anyway?