From: Zero Powers (zero_powers@hotmail.com)
Date: Fri Mar 31 2000 - 22:17:01 MST
>From: Spike Jones <spike66@ibm.net>
>We have seen that Lockmart is providing traffic signal cameras to cities
>at no up front cost, only a cut of the fines collected. Under those
>circumstances
>we will all likely agree on one immediate outcome: the traffic cams will
>sprout like daisies after a spring rain.
>
>Then what will happen?
>
>We all will likely agree that since the ability of the city government
>to catch red light runners has suddenly and dramatically increased, and the
>cost of each apprehension has decreased, then immediately the city's
>coffers will begin to fill with newfound lucre.
>
>But then what will happen?
>
>Zero Powers and I might argue that city governments will be forced to
>reduce the fine for red light running! I predict this.
Well, since I think traffic fine amounts are based upon the percieved
deterence value, I don't think cams will lead to a reduction in fines. Even
with cams, running a red light will still be as hazardous to the public as
ever. So I don't predict that running a red light will get cheaper.
What I do predict is that this surveillance will lead, in baby steps, to
what I predict will be one of the ultimate effects of transparency, a
reduction in illegal behavior. Once the cams go up, and everybody knows
they are up, and everybody at least knows somebody who has gotten busted by
the cams, I predict a precipitous drop in the incidence of the running of
red lights.
-Zero
"I like dreams of the future better than the history of the past"
--Thomas Jefferson
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