Speed camera violation

[3TrueFans]

depends. Did anyone see you do it? From what I gather, if no one sees it, it's not illegal, and law enforcement has no right to punish you in any way.

Prosecuting murders is a clear money grab by the state and anyone who can't see that is an idiot.

 

[Mr Janny]

I don't trust cameras, I mean what kind of voodoo do they use to get a little me on that piece of paper? No sir, don't like it.

I hear that for each picture taken, you lose part of your soul. Little known fact: driving I-235 was Tom Riddle's preferred method of making horcruxes.

 

[Tailg8er]

Drive 235 ever morning from the mixmaster to downtown. Cruise set at 75, slow down to 65-70 for the cameras, speed back up to 75 around the "dangerous curve". They're a joke and everyone with a brain knows it. I've been driving this same stretch of road for the last 15 years and I've never seen one accident in this area. I do admit that I drive it during the early morning where there is little traffic and I'm usually one of the slowest drivers when there is bad weather.

On a side note, I think the DOT is going to do the right thing and force DM to get rid of these. Since everyone knows about them the only people you're penalizing are out of town drivers. "Welcome to Des Moines, here is your ticket, hope you enjoyed your time here".

I've personally seen 2 fairly serious accidents there within the last month.

I'm in the crowd that thinks if you can't keep it within 10 mph you probably deserve the ticket. Like others said, leave 2 minutes earlier..

Or drive thru Windsor Heights a few times. They don't believe in the 10 mph grace rule.

 

[keepngoal]

If 70mph is 'safe' and 71 isn't 'safe', why not adjust the speed limit to 65 and narrow the allowable window for speeding?

 

[Mr Janny]

If 70mph is 'safe' and 71 isn't 'safe', why not adjust the speed limit to 65 and narrow the allowable window for speeding?

because then you'd have people in here complaining that they were only going 76mph, and asking why 75 is safe and 76 isn't.

This argument doesn't get solved because the speed limit is suddenly changed. Many of the people who don't like the cameras, aren't going to like them regardless of the posted limit.

 

[SoapyCy]

wait, they dont kick in until 11 over? why have I been slowing down then?

 

[3TrueFans]

wait, they dont kick in until 11 over? why have I been slowing down then?

 

[KidSilverhair]

I knew the "safety" crowd would turn up. Don't you realize it is all about the revenue? Period?

"It's using big-brother tactics to balance the state budget," she said. "It's outlandish."

Arizona speed cameras incite a mini revolt - Los Angeles Times

I am not a big fan of the speed cameras. However ...

Cedar Rapids has had them on I-380 in the downtown area for a while. The bridge over the Cedar River and the big curve on the west side of the river are famous for accidents, from fender-benders to trucks nearly going over the side. Since the cameras went in, there have been NO serious accidents on that stretch of highway.

I agree a big factor with these cameras is the "free revenue" (after Gatso takes their cut). But I can't deny they seem to be having at least some safety effect as well.

 

[KidSilverhair]

I have got 2/3 of the tickets in CR a couple years ago. I shredded them, never had a problem renewing my licensce or plates.

If everyone stops paying them, the cameras go away

Because the "tickets" aren't actually issued by law enforcement (they're issued by the contracting company, Gatso in the case of Cedar Rapids, after the video is reviewed by the police), they're more of a civil fine than a moving violation. That's why they don't go on your insurance records, or maybe even your license, I don't know.

But they can come after you with collection agencies and mess with your credit rating. Your call.

 

[dmclone]

I've personally seen 2 fairly serious accidents there within the last month.

Well I guess that proves the point that the cameras are not working.

 

[IcSyU]

I'd prefer to see cameras that can tell whether the driver is talking on their cell phone or not. Most cases of idiots driving on the roads can be traced back to said idiot being on the phone and not paying attention to the road.

 

[3TrueFans]

Well I guess that proves the point that the cameras are not working.

This guy knows what he's doing. No accidents? Cameras not necessary. Accidents? Cameras not working.

 

[Daserop]

I thought people's biggest issue with the speed cameras what invasion of privacy or am I wrong? Either way I don't mind the cameras (in Cedar Rapids) they don't affect me one bit.

 

[Mr Janny]

My favorite argument to the speed cameras is "But it's just a money grab!"

So what? Just because money is being made off of it, that suddenly means you weren't breaking the law? I'm not saying I'm someone who always follows the speed limit, but when I do go faster than the posted limit, I realize that I'm taking the risk of getting a ticket. It's a choice that I'm making and if I get caught, well I knew the risks of speeding before I pushed the pedal down.

 

[kcdc4isu]

Well I guess that proves the point that the cameras are not working.

No, it just proves some people do not obey the speed limit laws.

 

[InAWord]

Can I rob a store and complain about the camera catching me too?

Why not have cameras everywhere in the world to catch all crimes. If you're innocent what do you have to worry about right?

/sarcasm

 

[Wesley]

I just shot a guy... Should I care?

Was he speeding past you?

 

[dmclone]

No, it just proves some people do not obey the speed limit laws.

Was speeding the cause of these accidents? Driver distraction is a much larger problem. A majority of the time I see issues on 235 it's usually someone with a cell phone not paying attention. The other large problem I see is from tailgating other vehicles. When is the last time you saw someone get in an accident because they were going 10mph over the speed limit?

The DOT is correct on this issue.

 

[Mr Janny]

Why not have cameras everywhere in the world to catch all crimes. If you're innocent what do you have to worry about right?

/sarcasm

Aww, are we to the slippery slope part of this argument, already? I was hoping to have a few more go-rounds about how these awful cameras are a "money grab."

Oh well, I guess we're already here. The slippery slope argument is the last hope of someone whose can't make a legitimate fact-based argument, and is forced to rely on the "But think about what COULD happen if we speculate hard enough!" approach.

 

[bellzisu]

Huh? I'm talking about stuff like driving your wife to the emergency room where you kind of need to an emergency room quickly. If a cop pulls you over, I'm guessing they will let you go on your way or escort you without writing a ticket. With the speed cameras, you get the ticket regardless.

I know situations like this are not common, but they do happen. The safety argument that people use when talking about the speed cameras is laughable. If they were truly for safety, then donate the money collected to a charity

I'm guessing if your wife is injured or sick that bad that you need to drive 71 mph and over and risk your life and everyone on the interstate, maybe calling the EMT's and getting an ambulance would be a wise choice??? Just saying.