01-07-2017, 01:04 PM
(01-07-2017, 09:00 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: I trust in Aus they rely a lot more on speed cameras than on leo with radar guns. Here there are thousands hitting the highway in the morning and evening commutes where speed tends to be quick and en mass. Catching offenders is like quail hunting in that they might get one, but the rest of the covey gets thru. As such each individuals chance of getting caught is pretty small. A lot of time, ne most of the time, they don't even try and catch speeders during these periods. Instead they wait until the people get out to the burbs, are by that time far spread out, and where it's much easier to hide and nailem one at a time. I have never seen a speed camera in the U.S... Not true.. I have seen them, they have been challenged, and basically found unconstitutional ( because the guilty party cannot face his accuser aka the camera in court for a challenge) and a money grab.
Here in AZ, the state ran a network of speed cameras on the freeways. Motorcyclists wearing helmets were technically exempt, since enforcement required a clear picture of the driver's face. I used to deliberately trip these cameras, accompanied with a left handed "greeting" to the folks that reviewed the pics.
Eventually, a combination of voter referendums and legislation banned all use of camera enforcement in the state. The basis being that private corporations in the speed camera business lacked the credentials to present evidence in a court of law.
The fact that the camera companies typically receive up to 40% of the fines generated and tickets are virtually uncontestable, means conditions are ripe for corruption (which has happened).
I'm not a habitual speeder. My last traffic ticket was in 1992. Nonetheless, I'm glad to see the cameras gone. The notion of a private corporation being in the law enforcement / revenue generation business, never sat well with me.