The latest method for States to raise funds

[RandyWayne]

Are those horrible traffic photo camera's!

I've been dinged once.... Got 'caught" going 51 in a 40 mph zone! $205 ticket. The city of Phoenix expects to make about 90 million in 09 from these -and they are everywhere!

Now I don't mind seeing one if they are calibrated to catch reckless speeders (how often do you see someone wiz by you doing 85-100 and wonder 'where is a cop when you need one??'), but to use them as cheap speed traps which catch everyone who goes 10 miles or more, over the speed limit is is just.... cheap.

Anyone else think these are a brilliant idea? Anyone else ever get zapped?

[TJJJ]

Was that ticket for being so UGLY or was it for speeding?







For most of us men, including me, on this forum it would probably be for being so ugly!

[Sam]

Were you exceeding the speed limit? Were you breaking the law?
If so, didn't you deserve to be caught?
Would it be all right to disregard the law if there were no cameras?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Sam

Were you exceeding the speed limit? Were you breaking the law?
If so, didn't you deserve to be caught?
Would it be all right to disregard the law if there were no cameras?

A couple of things. The safe way to drive is to try and match the average speed of all the cars. With these camera's if 'everyone' is doing 12 over, then 'everyone' will be zapped. Now in this case, you have to literally drive unsafely by going below the average. Granted there are enough granny and granddad drivers here already who drive well below the speed limit, but it just makes it worse.

Also, there is no "warning" system. 10 miles (or more) over and it is an instant ticket.

[SiblingRevelry]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Are those horrible traffic photo camera's!

I've been dinged once.... Got 'caught" going 51 in a 40 mph zone! $205 ticket. The city of Phoenix expects to make about 90 million in 09 from these -and they are everywhere!

Now I don't mind seeing one if they are calibrated to catch reckless speeders (how often do you see someone wiz by you doing 85-100 and wonder 'where is a cop when you need one??'), but to use them as cheap speed traps which catch everyone who goes 10 miles or more, over the speed limit is is just.... cheap.

Anyone else think these are a brilliant idea? Anyone else ever get zapped?

Not me, but one of the managers at work got a $181 ticket for speeding on the 101 over by Cave Creek. 66 in a 55...which is a bit tricky over there, because the speed limits change from 65 to 55 depending on whether you're in Phoenix or not. (There's similar speed traps on the 10 and 17 going through downtown Phoenix. Grrrr.) Yes, he's fairly annoyed.

I heard the AZ Highway Patrol is none too happy about the latest fad, which is to put sticky notes over the camera lenses. They're putting out the word that if you're caught doing it, you will be arrested for obstructing prosecution (of other speeders, presumably) and damaging equipment. That latter one bugs me. A sticky note doesn't damage anything, except for the bottom line of the state trying to collect. (Just for the record, as a former officer of the court, I am not encouraging anyone to break the law here with their little yellow pad of Post-Its.)

Personally, I think the speed cameras are dangerous. Everyone knows where they're at, they brake just before them, and can cause a pileup if someone's not being attentive.

[RandyWayne]

I got zapped on Lincoln street going through Paradise Valley right on the North side of Camel Back. The speed limit in Scottsdale and the other side of PV is 45 -but 40 through PV.
And I was only doing 5-6 over for most of the way! But for a few seconds let my speed drift to 11 over, which happened to be where the photo van was.

[RandyWayne]

The irony of this is is that so many camera's are being installed that the average speed IS going down. But what then? I suspect that they will start ticketing people doing 8 mph over the limit once revenue falls off.
It reminds me of taxes on cigarettes. Government actually counts on this money to fund pet projects and starts to panic when the number of smokers decreases since revenue goes down as well.

[brotherjason]

It has very little to do with public safety and a whole lot to do with money. Just wait until you get to pay your carbon tax, we'll all be so happy then.

[Sweet Pea]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Are those horrible traffic photo camera's!

I've been dinged once.... Got 'caught" going 51 in a 40 mph zone! $205 ticket. The city of Phoenix expects to make about 90 million in 09 from these -and they are everywhere!

Now I don't mind seeing one if they are calibrated to catch reckless speeders (how often do you see someone wiz by you doing 85-100 and wonder 'where is a cop when you need one??'), but to use them as cheap speed traps which catch everyone who goes 10 miles or more, over the speed limit is is just.... cheap.

Anyone else think these are a brilliant idea? Anyone else ever get zapped?

two questions...

1) Is the picture actually you?

2) I heard that getting a ticket because of these cameras does not count against your driving record for insurance purposes. Is this in fact the case? If so, it is obvious that they are only trying to get your money.

[RandyWayne]

1) No that is not me. It is actually a picture of Jim Carrey (from Fun With Dick and Jane).

2) You are right. The tickets tend to be on the high side, but they do not cost any points or go against insurance. It is strictly a money making effort from the city.