It has been proven time and time again that the vast majority of speed cameras and traps are designed solely for revenue raising, and not for road safety. Objectively, they do almost nothing to reduce the road toll. Every sane person would acknowledge the fact that reckless driving is going to cause serious injury or death, but around where I live, there are speed cameras everywhere. They seem to concentrate on high flow locations, rather than dangerous ones. There's been huge controversy, with one state in Australia recently doing an official review, and turning of all those that were deemed to be revenue raising - a step in the right direction. In addition to this, in our particular city (Melbourne) there is only a 3km leeway. ie. if you do 63km/h in a 60 zone, and get caught, you will be ticketed for 150$, and lose a demerit point. Radar / speed gun detectors are also banned.

What is your opinion on speed cameras - do they save lives or serve as cash cows for the local council or government?

How many are there in your area? (mobile or fixed)

Have you ever been ticketed by a camera (mobile or fixed) - were you driving dangerously, or just not fixated on keeping the speedo down to the exact number?

What is the general attitude towards speed cameras and or speeding in your area?

Once again, not advocating reckless driving or speeding excessively, just looking for other's opinions on the matter, and opening the subject up for debate.

 

they are just money mules.. its why a city here in texas (plano) is pushing to have them legalized here but they dont need them as they make nothing less then 8 figures annually just off citations

 

You're asking a car forum what they think about speed cameras and their ilk? Sounds like you are just looking for some justifications for your feelings.

But when we talk about these things we find out facts and figures that can help.

One forum on red light cameras got some attorneys listening and they supposedly are developing a defense so if people can control themselves maybe we'll all learn something.

 

Is it not logical that automotive enthusiasts probably represent a demographic that comes into contact with speed cameras regularly? Who was I supposed to ask? Cyclists? I'm not really looking for justification for my feelings - I'm certain some people here would disagree with me.

 

You're preaching to the choir here - I'd be surprised if any of us came out in support of them.

 

i don't know that they have "speed cameras" here in Texas.

We have red light cameras, but I don't think we have speed cameras.

I think that 3 km/hr leeway is gay, and I'm glad that they don't have those anywhere I drive.

 

3 km/h is really strict. That's less than 2 mph! Really though, I think that the main reason cities use them is because it is a way to keep people from speeding without having to pay more cops. The biggest disadvantage for drivers is that the cameras can't factor in other things like time of day, how crowded the roads are, and things like that. I honestly don't think that someone driving 10 over the limit out in the middle of nowhere with fewer than three cars within view deserves a speeding ticket, but then again, I don't make or enforce the laws.

 

In the US, DOT (Department of Transportation) has a 10% error allowed by Speedometers for cars. So I have seen cops let cars go within those ranges before on the highway with their radar/laser guns.

I know in the past, this could be used in arguing against a tix that is within that range. Now with municipality being broke, I think judges might have their jobs at stake just like the cops... if they don't do their job.

 

They had them in Arlington for a while back in the 1970s. People just spray painted the lenses or knocked them over with their trucks. I guess those would be considered negative responses. Personally I'm opposed. Unless there is a change in the law, I believe that the citations would have to be civil fines like the red light cameras.

 

I think this is just another trend that will die out eventually. In California, red light cameras did more harm than good, and actually cost us a lot of money to keep up and maintain. I'd imagine that speed cameras will be no different. They'll be hot for a minute, but then they'll realize that they will cost more to keep them up than the amount of money that is being brought in.