Arguments Against Speed Cameras

To All Pennsylvania Drivers:

Arguments Against Speed Cameras

(From the Maryland Driver’s Alliance used with permission)

Despite claims by those who profit from photo enforcement, speed cameras are very unpopular with the general public. Photo enforcement has been placed to a popular vote in many US communities and the public has rejected cameras the large majority of the time. Speed camera programs only survive because they are accompanied by massive PR and media campaigns, including astroturfing by speed camera contractors and corporate lobbying by photo enforcement companies. Most Americans have lived most of their lives without speed cameras and most states still do not have them. There is nothing radical about opposing speed cameras. It is the belief that we can only be safe with cameras watching our every move which is extreme.

Problems with Speed Cameras:

• A UK study demonstrated that speed cameras did not reduce accident rates in highway work zones, concluding "No significant difference was observed in the PIA [Personal Injury Accident] rate for sites with and without cameras." In Baltimore County, MD, the police reported no reduction in accidents near speed camera sites. Baltimore City, MD, saw accidents rise from 2009 to 2012 while they were adding speed cameras.

• Speed cameras do not remove the worst drivers from the roads the way a police officer can.

• Speed cameras encourage erratic driving behavior. Cameras make some already safe drivers nervous.

• The platitude that "if you don't speed you won't get a ticket" is UNTRUE because there have been many proven cases of speed cameras issuing tickets in error.

• These cameras are about REVENUE. Some local governments see them as a way to make big money off of passing motorists who do not know the camera locations the way local drivers do. Speed cameras are now a $77million industry in Maryland. Washington DC's speed and red light camera systems have issued 2,952,333 tickets worth $224 million as of July 31 2007. Most of that money has come from Maryland residents. At least one county executive openly admitted that the cameras are 'a tax', and one Chevy Chase Village council member once referred to speed camera money as "the crack cocaine of local government."

• Speed Cameras are magnets for corruption. Speed Camera Contractors will lobby heavily for statewide speed cameras, not just the “pilot” program. The desire for more public funds at any cost ignores the fact that using law enforcement for revenue generation is harmful to our justice system, creating a conflict of interest by the state against the accused. Future administrations may be encouraged to use overbearing tactics to increase revenues -- such as concealed cameras, deliberately lowering speed limits, deceptive or inadequate signs, or cameras placed immediately after the sign reducing the speed limit.

• Because of their revenue potential, speed cameras are used as a heavy handed substitute for sound engineering approaches which can be more effective than speed cameras at reducing drivers speeds.

• Speed cameras tend to encourage local governments to set speed limits artificially low to increase revenues INSTEAD OF basing them on the standard traffic engineering practices. Speed limits should be set according to sound engineering practices, NOT based on what will produce more ticket revenue from out of town drivers.

• Speed cameras can contribute to traffic congestion. Cameras are typically placed where they will make the most money.

• The speed camera “pilot” programs [of PA Senate Bill 172] now are merely a "special introductory offer" which is NOTHING compared to what we will have in 4 or 5 years if enacted. Those who profit from cameras will be continuously lobbying to raise fines, remove restrictions, and introduce new types cameras for common 'technical violations' which have little or nothing to do with safety.

• Because of the revenue the cameras create, there is no limit to how far some would go to restrict your driving freedom and your legal rights in order to more easily extract money from you.

• The right to face your accuser in court and cross examine witnesses is guaranteed by the US Bill of Rights. Speed cameras deny you this right because the accuser is a machine.

• Speed cameras are a form of mass surveillance over ordinary drivers.

• The lack of human oversight means that no one person will be held accountable if there are widespread errors or misconduct by officials.

• Since tickets are received weeks later, the accused has a very limited ability to gather evidence in their defense.

• Tickets are issued to the owner of the vehicle even if they are not the driver.

• Ticket Recipients who challenge citations will have their cases heard in an unfair court proceeding: Because the burden of proof for speed camera tickets will be below that of a criminal case, below that for even ordinary traffic violations, defendants are essentially 'guilty until proven innocent'.

I know the Legislature voted the wrong way on SB 172 and I want them to vote NO on any future votes. Speed cameras should never be allowed in Pennsylvania. This IS an election year.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Tom McCarey Member, National Motorists Association