DC's New Traffic Cams

Another take on it: ( +1 for citizens. This place is known to be a speed trap.)


Judge allows class action suit on speed cams.

Recent news article indicated the cities normally get 40% of the fine and the Camera providers get 60%, (it does vary). Statistics show little on no effect on traffic safety according the the NTSB..

harold1946 wrote:

D & M wrote:
As a way to increase revenue for the DC local government, they have decided to install a new system of traffic cams that not only can grab you for speed or red lights, they can get you for rolling a stop sigh, blocking the intersection and other "stuff"

New DC Cams

Keep it in mind when you visit the city.

Nothing in the article stated it was a means to raise revenue.
It is an attempt to get everyone to obey the laws. If you break them you deserve the ticket. :S

Sounds to me like you've never been involved in city budget meetings. The number one, two, three, and four most important parameters of every budget segment is revenue. Especially difficult are elements for which the expenses exceed revenue.

Until you read up on the hundres of tickets issued by the meter droids to cars that where not in the city (with proof) and other issues they are just as useless. Police, I don't see them as revenue generators. But these tickets are not issued by DC policy officers but by a corporation with pretty much blanket approval from DCPD and a share of the fines. This is why they are sole revenue generators, they do nothing to deter repeat offenders.

Then when you get a bad ticket like the 2 I got in the past 4 years and the DC gov response is just pay the fine, its no points on my license (even though I was not the offender) tells me thats all they want is the revenue.

harold1946 wrote:


Nothing in the article stated it was a means to raise revenue.
It is an attempt to get everyone to obey the laws. If you break them you deserve the ticket. :S

what universe are you living in? there have been lots of articles in the Washington Compost about issues with the traffic cameras.
bumpy

harold1946 wrote:
DC is not the only city that is using traffic cams to enforce laws. I guess DC must also have police and meter maids only to gain revenue.
Its realy pretty simple. Obey the laws and you will not be cited. I never received a citation I didn't deserve. Maybe in DC things are different.

There have been posts on the Forum and articles linked describing the abuse of the traffic camera systems and how they are revenue generators not only for the local govt. entity but also for the company that operates the system. Sometimes, the cameras or accompanying traffic lights are rigged so that infractions are tallied that would not have occurred if observed by LEO's.

DC is not the only city that is using traffic cams to enforce laws. I guess DC must also have police and meter maids only to gain revenue.
Its realy pretty simple. Obey the laws and you will not be cited. I never received a citation I didn't deserve. Maybe in DC things are different.

JamesBr wrote:
Harold, you would have to be a DC Metro local to know that they are just revenue generators. When the city announced the proposal to add these cameras they did not speak of expected improvements in less accidents, traffic or pedestrian safety. Instead they spoke of expected additional revenue of adding these cameras as the existing ones have seen revenue drop.

Thats all it's about! Safety is a side effect of the cameras!!!

harold1946 wrote:

D & M wrote:
As a way to increase revenue for the DC local government, they have decided to install a new system of traffic cams that not only can grab you for speed or red lights, they can get you for rolling a stop sigh, blocking the intersection and other "stuff"

New DC Cams

Keep it in mind when you visit the city.

Nothing in the article stated it was a means to raise revenue.
It is an attempt to get everyone to obey the laws. If you break them you deserve the ticket. :S

That's the party line. But, no offense, but you don't live here. During rush hour "blocking the box" is often unavoidable. And they short the yellows.

The only thing that works better in DC then the traffic cams, is the meter maids.

And they catch the pilgrims as well as the residents. Just wanted to make the RV brethren aware when they come here.

Harold, you would have to be a DC Metro local to know that they are just revenue generators. When the city announced the proposal to add these cameras they did not speak of expected improvements in less accidents, traffic or pedestrian safety. Instead they spoke of expected additional revenue of adding these cameras as the existing ones have seen revenue drop.