Slowing Down

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Lifestyle

Well, they seem to be working. The cameras in school zones that generate tickets for exceeding the school zone speed limit. There is one such zone on a road that I travel very frequently. After the initial onslaught of tickets, and the publicity about the cameras, motorists being caught unaware and early flaws resulting in many, many unwarranted tickets being sent out (and then dismissed), it seems that people in my neighborhood are getting the message.
I've followed cars going 10 miles per hour below the  30 mile per hour reduced speed. They certainly got the message.
But what is the message? Slow down so you don't get a ticket in the mail or slow down because there may be children crossing to school?
Forgive me for my skepticism, but local budgets are being balanced on the expected revenue from these cameras -- and the company that installed the cameras gets 38% of the ticket collections.
Don't get me wrong. I like the fact that drivers are mindful of where schools are and slow down. And if one accident with a child is prevented, its all worthwhile.... but something is still terribly wrong.

Comments

Corey Bearak

Was talking to a friend the other day. I have long believed wherever surveillance, red light and speed cameras get posted, very visible warning signs should be posted. It should be the law!
Cayce Crown

Maybe.
It would be lovely if everyone acted in a safe manner without needing threats.

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 01:58

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The problem is and has been that when the general public does slow down and the revenue is no longer generated, what happens next? The company getting the 38% looses and will look for their cut somewhere else. It is a never ending cycle once these are up and spread all over.

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 03:40

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Erik Scheibe




I think the school zones are much more of a serious issue than people running red lights. I think that was a clear money grab. The 38% is disgraceful and that it is going out of state even more so. The whole concept is very anti-American. Our growing GPS capabilities mean we are one step away from big brother.
Rona Gura

Erik, I think the GPS/big brother theory should be your next blog topic.

As for Ben's topic, while I have always slowed down in a school zone, I will admit that I never slowed down to 20 MPH before. I do now. So, the cameras are working for me.
Cynthia Somma

Rec'd mine the second day 31 miles. Christopher rec'd his today 32 miles. It's so difficult to remember.
I'm all for safety. How about a reasonable fine...not $80.
It's not that easy to slow down to 20 mph.
I would really like to know why I haven't seen either red light camera or a school camera at all, in all of Garden City...and they have major roadways where schools are. Rock away ave, Stewart Ave. maybe I missed them and I'll just wait for my ticket in the mail lol
Erik Scheibe

Sorry, the only conspiracy theories I believe in involve all the stores who spend millions in advertising to get people to come to their stores and then can't even bother unlocking both doors for customers to come through.

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