Thoughts on traffic cameras?

I hate em. One reason is that they can be used for doing otherthings then catching people speeding or running red lights.



But my main concern is that it takes away all the fun and excitement of driveing. To me it is fun to speed and run redlights and see if you can avoaid cops at the same time. Then when you get pulled over it is also exciteing to try and talk your way out. I consider it kind of like a game. If you dont get pulled over you win. If you get pulled over but talk your way out of a ticket then its a tie. If you get a ticket the cop wins. Having cameras just makes it lame. Although when my ticket came in the mail with my picture I sent them a picture of the money. Then they sent me a picture of handcuffs in return. And I was like aww their no fun so I ended up paying the ticket.



Anyone else not like traffic cameras?Thoughts on traffic cameras?
Cities cite "public safety" as the reason for installing these cameras, but I'm guessing it's really a revenue thing. I'm sure the companies that sell these things show them numbers and explain how the revenues from tickets will pay for the cameras in a year and after that it's all gravy for the city.



Unfortunately this is just another example of government treating their citizens as subjects to be exploited rather than constituents to whom they are supposed to be providing a service.



Also, it seems like once these things become ubiquitous it is inevitable that they will be used for other things. For example, why just take snapshots when someone runs a red light? Why not just have a 48-hour video loop? Then, you can catch purse snatchers, reconstruct accidents, spot drug dealers and child molesters and all kinds of other things.



And it sounds appealing. If a loved one were kidnapped, I would sure like for police to be able to look through video of every square inch of street within 25 miles to help them find my loved one.



But as alluring as it is, the potential for abuse is even greater. The FBI might want to know the identity of everyone attending an ACLU meeting. Government officials could "leak" coverage of an opponent going into a gay bar or strip joint or gun shop. The police could use it to identify everyone who was in the vicinity of where a particular crime occurred and the very fact that you were walking down the street could become circumstantial evidence against you.



the bottom line is that every technological advancement, whether it be nuclear energy or the internet, can and will be abused and militarized by opportunists in our government and the net result is that our personal privacy and civil liberties are gradually being eroded.



As the saying goes, "change is the only constant", but sadly, I suspect that 50 years from now, the concept of privacy and civil liberties in America will have changed drastically - for the worse. And it will happen gradually, so that kids growing up will just accept living in a society where their every movement, activity, keystroke, phone conversation, email and purchase is harvested, tracked, analyzed and stored indefinitely.



%26lt;/rant%26gt;Thoughts on traffic cameras?
I believe they're an invasion of our privacy. The city of Pittsburgh is planning to do the same thing. I find it hilarious how the DUMBocrats were all up in arms over the patriot Act and now Mayor Ravenstahl who belongs to the Jackass party wants to do the same thing.



Things that make you say Hmmmmmm. Just goes to comfirm what I always say. Republicans, Democrats...same **** different piles.Thoughts on traffic cameras?
I love traffic cameras. They are watching over public roads so the public has a right to view them and police are public people. The penalties for running red lights should be much more severe. I don't think any other violation causes more traffic fatalities then that. A friend of mine was nearly killed by some kid like you. Grow up before you kill somebody else other then you.
Well, if I don't do anything wrong i don't get caught for doing anything wrong.