Speed Cameras - Anyone else sick and tired of these? (Silver Spring: neighborhood, schools)

[ram2]

Originally Posted by tgs_bg

Instead of writing a novel explaining it, to which you may or may not grasp, all I will say is that there are hundreds of traffic violations you can be cited for that you probably never knew existed, and that police use an abundant amount of discretion when conducting traffic enforcement.

I know - we should all blindly do what the government says is good for us. It wasn't that long ago the government told us it was dangerous to drive faster than 55mph.

[MidValleyDad]

Originally Posted by ram2

If cops are too busy (doing more "important" things) to write speeding tickets (hence the need for speed cameras), then why is a non-moving violation for a license plate cover even being noticed?

That (along with highly tinted windows) were used as a reason to stop suspicious vehicles and let them know they were being noticed. Surprising how often the tinted windows (or a broken tail light or something else trivial) turned into a drug arrest, driving on suspended or revoked license or even an open felony warrant.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by MidValleyDad

That (along with highly tinted windows) were used as a reason to stop suspicious vehicles and let them know they were being noticed. Surprising how often the tinted windows (or a broken tail light or something else trivial) turned into a drug arrest, driving on suspended or revoked license or even an open felony warrant.

Or license plate covers.

[MidValleyDad]

Originally Posted by ram2

I know - we should all blindly do what the government says is good for us. It wasn't that long ago the government told us it was dangerous to drive faster than 55mph.

The whole 55 thing was 'energy conservation' then when the death count went down it morphed into a safety thing. Then the Federal Gov't started threatening to take away highway funds if it wasn't enforced. Maryland did big crackdowns (especially around DC where it became a pain in the neck for Federal beaurocrats :-)) which I believe helped get rid of the law.

Also Speed Cameras have not been used to enforce highway speeds except recently in work zones

[ram2]

Do not worry, speed cameras will be coming to a freeway near you. You know, it really is all about safety.

[BigCityDreamer]

Raise the speed limits - if it's safe.

But keep the speed cameras to cut the speeders down to size.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

Raise the speed limits - if it's safe.

But keep the speed cameras to cut the speeders down to size.

If speed limits are set based on 85th percentile measured vehicle speeds, the number of speeders will be miniscule.

[existence]

The worst speed cameras are located in DC where they have them set up at intersections, so when you speed up to make that yellow light..... SMILE.

[slowlane3]

Originally Posted by MidValleyDad

Also Speed Cameras have not been used to enforce highway speeds except recently in work zones

Actually, speed cameras ARE present at three locations on I-295 in D.C.

Also, state dual-highway 210 boats a speeding camera in Forest Heights, MD and a red-light camera in Accokeek, MD, as you can see on this interactive map ƒ^ƒCŽYƒ}ƒ“ƒS�[‚Ì“Á’¥ . My family have gotten tickets at ALL THREE of those locations.

[wisedisguise]

Originally Posted by tgs_bg

Define unsafe? There is no citation for "unsafe driving". Not using your turn signals wouldn't fall under "unsafe" if I'm assuming you are referring to changing lanes on a highway because one is not required to use their turn signals for that. Turn signals are only required to be used when changing directions in a non-designated turn lane.

You can thank your city/county/state government for the red light speeding cameras. Their use was not determined by the police.

Let's reword "unsafe driving" to the wording used by the police and written on a ticket. "Reckless driving" is driving negligently and posing a threat to others. Not using a turn signal is certainly reckless in too many circumstances. Ever had another driver speed by, jump into your lane without signaling, then immediately slam on their brakes and make a right turn? That is reckless driving and a lot of accidents happen that way.
How about the driver who comes alongside you on open highway - 55-65mmh - and pulls over over into your lane right in front of you without signaling. I would pull a driver over for that if I was an officer. I have very little trust for other drivers.

You are correct about who is responsible for the revenue schemes. PGC has a Dept of Revenue and it is they who drive around areas with parking meters - such as a metro parking lot - and write tickets. That was a wake up call to me. They blatantly advertise it is all for revenue rather than trying to deter the infraction. It is they who collect the money for the speed limit/red light camera infractions in the county. It is revenue and they hire cameras to enforce laws they pass to generate that precious revenue.