Washington
Related: About this forumAfter traffic cameras went in, Everett saw 70% decrease in speeding
EVERETT After turning on speed cameras, city officials in Everett are seeing fewer speeders.
Prior to installing cameras along Casino Road near Horizon Elementary, the city ran a traffic study in April 2023 to determine the number of people speeding. That study found about 676 drivers per day going 10 mph or over in the school zone. The school zone speed limit is 20 mph during school hours.
Last month, the city activated the cameras, starting with a grace period where drivers would only get warnings. Starting this week, speeding will mean a $124 fine, instead of a ticket.
Police issued over 2,200 warnings for speeding over the course of 18 school days from April 3 to May 3 near Horizon Elementary, city traffic engineer Corey Hert said. City officials said speeding violations decreased 70% near the school after the warnings began.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/after-traffic-cameras-went-in-everett-saw-70-decrease-in-speeding/
TexasDem69
(2,317 posts)I hate those things.
bello
(133 posts)Taxation via law enforcement leads to bad law and worse law enforcement.
That said, I can see where cameras could be needed in some places.. In school zones as described here. In construction zones. Im sure other examples exist.
Today in many cases, photo enforcement is handled by a contracting firm who also provides the equipment for a cut of the action. This is an analogue of old west bounty hunters. There is a reason we dont allow any yahoo to buy a squad car and enforce laws for a cut of the action.
My solution would be to mandate that all gross revenue from the camera enforcement would have to be given to a state run revenue sharing plan. Contractors couldnt boost their income by over-enforcement. Local government couldnt boost their income by over enforcement. Cities couldnt boost their income at the expense of travelers and tourists.
Local government would have to justify the purchase of cameras on enforcement needs in a similar way that the justify the purchase of a new squad car.
unweird
(2,957 posts)The camera seems less susceptible to unconscious bias. Speed and red light cameras are welcome additions to the tool kit of traffic calming measures. I wish we had them here.
mopinko
(71,801 posts)the ntsb shd issue standards, tho. they do have them for traffic lights. they need to set realistic yellow times. everyone here cries about the part where there r not that many fewer accidents, but they trade rear ends for t-bones. ill take it.
i used to sit at certain intersections where u see assholes blow through daily and wish that cps wd pick 1 day each week and just pass out tickets. yes, it is a way to make money. like parking meters.
but both r ways to manage traffic. ppl whine about the cost of parking downtown, but can u imagine how many ppl wd drive to work if it wasnt so expensive to park?