Talk to Clark 1-4pm ET: (877) 87-CLARK or (404) 872-0750
advertisement
Looking for something on the site? Search for it here! Also see Clark's Greatest Hits
Oct 16, 2009 -- Clark applauds Maryland's use of speed cameras
Clark has been an outspoken critic of speed cameras in the past, especially how they're used in Arizona strictly as a revenue booster. But he's now applauding Maryland's use of them exclusively in school zones and construction zones.
He thinks this is a fair and reasonable way to deploy speed cameras. After all, one child run down by a car is one too many.
The Washington Post reports speed cameras actually do reduce speeding. When drivers get out of the camera's range, one in three speeds back up. But the other two in three motorists continue to drive slower. That's a very positive and meaningful impact.
So Clark has finally found a use for Big Brother that he can hang with! But what Arizona does -- just using speed cameras to rake in the dough -- disgusts him.
Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.
I'm all for cameras or whatever it takes to slow people down. They should put a roadside cross up for every person killed by speeders. I think they should show people what a dead body looks like in a car instead of covering it with a sheet. Maybe people would slow down if they really 'saw' what happens. I wish we had cameras on the interstate as well. There are way too many accidents in this country. Until someone is killed in your family; most won't change unfortunately.
Speed Up!
"The goverment would not be in your pocket if you didnt break the law."
This is incorrect, but a suitable line for those complacent enough to believe it.
Multiple times I've had to actually SPEED UP to avoid getting caught in an intersection where the traffic camera is present. This I would not normally do.
Also, "doing something wrong" has flaws in the logic. I've been caught behind someone NOT MOVING, leaving me sitting in the intersection when the camera is triggered-no fault of my own. Purely circumstantial.
If this were about safety, far more effectively (and intelligent) solutions would be in use, not the most financially beneficial!
speed cameras
That business started in Montgomery Co., MD. Only at schools zones and road work zones. But when they saw how much money there was to be made, long story short they have them every where in that County, now. Some small towns are so totaly dependent on the revenue from the speed cameras, that they could not stop using them if they had to. Now for the realy bad news. The program in Montgomery Co. has been considered so successfull that they are now branching out into other parts of the state, such as Howard Co., where I live. And they are telling us that they will only be used in school zones and work zones. But thoes of us who work and comute into Montgomery know better.
It's always about the money
American Traffic Solutions of Arizona; Affiliated Computer Services of Texas; Sigma Apace of Maryland and Traffipax of Germany made $183,780 in Maryland campaign donations between 1999 and 2009. They dished out another $213,055 during the same period to lobbyists representing their interests in the State House. It's obvious this is an industry where like most, money is the only concern. This action is really just a trojan horse, eventually the cameras will expand away from the schools and work zones, like in Maryland they already have, and before you know it, the entire city then state is on candid camera. It's clear that the system will become much larger and more invasive in the future if it is left unchallenged. I imagine eventually it will lead to "Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax" Our politicians state by state will and have issued millions in taxpayer-backed grants to well-connected commercial manufacturers of tolling equipment to help develop the required technology. Within a year or two, whatever department is doing the work would file an initial report outlining the best methods for adopting the new federal transportation tax. Basic reasons speed cameras are wrong: The right to face your accuser in court is gone. Speed cameras are a form of mass surveillance over ordinary drivers. Lack of human oversight means that no one person will be held accountable if there are widespread errors. Since tickets are received weeks later, the accused has a very limited ability to gather evidence in their defense. Red light cameras have actually been proven to INCREASE accidents. Speed cameras do not remove the worst drivers from the roads. State legislatures pass legislation willy nilly before studies are complete and get themselves into long contracts they cannot change or get out of. There have been many proven cases of speed cameras issuing tickets in error. Most speed cameras are NOT operated by police. Technology will be used as revenue under the guise of safety. I'll take a speed bump over a camera in a residential/school zone area any day.
Slow Down
The goverment would not be in your pocket if you didnt break the law. I dont understand the complaints....they only take money if you break the law and get caught doing it. Worry about something bigger like health care cost and un-employment.
cameras
that is a load a hypocrisy. i live in MD and they may claim that it is only near schools/construction, but it is crap. Is clearly another revenue generating scam by government. If they choose to use the cameras that is fine, but how about limiting number of traffic cops and finally putting some restriction on cops using overtime.
politicians
Politicians don't care about your kids or people working in construction zones. All they care about is money. They will use any reason as a curtain to cover their true intentions. More government control excuses for the sacrifice of our civil liberties. This country is making me sick day after day.
Speed cameras cause accidents
Speed cameras don't stop speeding. They also make driving worse. Instead of paying attention to traffic AHEAD, you have to keep looking out for speed signs on the SIDE of the road, as well as your speedometer. Does that sound safe to you?
Perfection
John Arenberg,
Nobody's perfect, at least until you came along.
Speed Limits
Why not just obey the speed limits? Then there would be no issue with the red-light cameras.
all about the money
Clark is really ignorant on this one.
Of course it is about the money! Why else would they do it. Out here in Washington State, they tried to get a law passed that said that all red light camera profits would go to the state and could be used for road improvements only. The local politicians lined up in droves crying about this proposal and vowed to pull all the red light cameras, because why should they bother if they couldn't spend the money for themselves on their pet projects. Don't be fooled by anyone here. The signage warning of red light cameras are small and obscure and very easily missed. If the politicians really wanted to cut speeding, the signage would be huge with bright flashing lights warning of the cameras. Have you ever seen that? Of course not, because the politicians and the companies peddling this are all sleeping in the same bed.
Give me a break!
Has anyone discovered that citations issued through speed cameras in most school and construction zones are double the normal fines? This is still all about the revenue --don't kid yourself. Government has no interest in public safety. Government's only interest is to financially support Government.
Placing your trust in Government to do the right thing is about as foolish is allowing two coyotes and a chicken to all vote on what to eat for dinner.
My answer to all of this? I completely avoid parts of town where speed or red-light cameras exist. If everyone did this, business owners would eventually force their extinction.
Speed cameras
http://www.motorists.org/
az spd cam's
I know all 'bout 'em as I live here and must deal with them constantly---ugh !! And the money make off them (over and above what the state gets) goes to a co in Australia for pete's sake
