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Sep 17, 2008 -- Arizona rakes in the dough with speed cameras
Clark gets worried whenever state or local officials say they want to protect us by putting in cameras to monitor our speed while driving. The real purpose of such cameras is to make money.
The Detroit News reports that Arizona will make $175 million this year from speed cameras. They have an Australian contractor who handles everything: installation, ticketing and collections. The contractor gets $30 from every ticket with the remainder going to the state.
In fact, Arizona decided it wasn't making enough revenue from the cameras, so they lowered the speed limit in the state to get more money! These tickets don't come with any points on your license; they're strictly against the car itself and just a form of tax.
Illinois and other states now want to install similar speed cameras. But don't believe the political hype about these cameras being used to reduce the rate of highway fatalities. They're simply designed to stock the coffers so politicians can get re-elected.
And get this -- The Detroit News reports Arizona only puts the cameras on roads that are heavily driven by out-of-state motorists. So the revenue comes from non-voters because the politicians don't want to alienate their constituents!
Clark doesn't deny that speeding is dangerous and also necessitates longer stopping distances in the event of a panic stop. But these cameras are only about the dough. If they were really intended to make you a safer driver, the tickets would be against the driver, not against the car. So get ready to smile -- you may be on candid camera!
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What others are saying
There are no points
There are no points on Arizona speed camera tickets.
I just got back from there, got a ticket in the mail, with a picture of another person, not me driving.
They ask if the driver is not me who it is, but you are NOT required to weasel anyone out. You cannot be made to testify by first class mail.
And I don't live in Arizona anyway.
I will be discussing this with the California legislature. Apparently they gave up my information to the Redflex Traffic Systems company, based in Australia. I think that's illegal.
Speeding Cameras
Speeding is only the cause of an accident 7 percent of the time. These are roads in AZ right? Straight roads without potholes. This is purely revenue driven.
Revenue
In Detroit they are uping the revenue for speeding and basic small infractions such as turn signals, who do you think is next would you not write tickets if your job was at stake beware of police following you you will get a ticket
Cameras
It figures that Arizona would implement a scheme like this. They need a lot of money for watering all the public golf courses and swimming pools. In addition, Arizona has immaculate state-run colleges and universities which need constant attention. The lawns on these schools are like the greens at Pebble Beach. One other thing. If you are an out-of-state driver and don't pay the fine, Arizona can prevent you from renewing your driver's license if they have a comity agreement with Arizona.
speed cameras in Arizona
"The Detroit News reports Arizona only puts the cameras on roads that are heavily driven by out-of-state motorists." So the revenue comes from non-voters because the politicians don't want to alienate their constituents!"
The other reason they do that is because the out-of-state people don't know where the cameras are located. Locals know where the permanently installed cameras are, so they just slow down.
Each state sets its own laws for this type of ticket. In Arizona, you don't get points for getting caught by a speed camera.
Cameras
I disagree with one poster's comments: I live in MD and my friend got a speeding ticket worth 5 points. Also, why does Detroit News report findings in AZ?
Speeding vs reckless driving
Does speeding really cause accidents, or is it the reckless driving that becomes that much more dangerous at higher speeds because you have less time to correct for errors?
Who cares if they're motivated by money
Tickets only go to people who are breaking the law. I'm glad drivers are having to think about speed limits even if a police car is not in sight.
David - I don't know about every state, but in Maryland (where I live) it is true that these tickets do not come with points. One reason MIGHT be that they can't be absolutely certain of who was driving.
Only half the story
I'm disappointed that Clark has made NO mention of the fact that these cameras have been shown to improve safety at the places where they are installed. I'm fine with the city getting more money if crashes and fatalities are decreasing.
Traffic Camera's
Only the local's can have a fit about this but they won't. There police have found a cheaper way to "Farm the Road" as we say down a little futher south. But I have a idea that a 12 gauge shotgun might be a cure for these camera's. Come on policeman if I'm speeding and you write me a ticket, so what, at least I'm talking to another human, and I'll see yah in court or pay the fine. But be warned I kinda like tilting at windmill's and if I can prove that you have exceeded your authorty I will not stop until you scream uncle, your boss too! The law is a double edge sword so beware. And on a side note, Sorry for busting your chops about the tinker toy troops, at least you didn't spit on us when we got back home, but there is one young fellow who found out that Newton's third law is a real and proven fact.
Speed Cameras
I wonder about Clark's comment that speed tickets from a camera go against the car and not the driver - and consequently not creating any points on a person's driver's license. If this is true, then it would be a good strategy to pay the ticket rather than going to driver's school to clear the ticket. Driver's school is typically about $100, which is often close to the fee for the speeding violation. The reason we go to driver's school is to avoid having points on our driver's license. I will have to check on this.
