Speed Camera News PHOTO RADAR: Cameras not worth expense, distrust they would engender
PHOTO RADAR: Cameras not worth expense, distrust they would engender
By Edward Engelbart • April 18, 2010
As mayor of Pequannock, when it comes to installing various types of cameras and similar equipment, the first thing I think of is how much is this going to cost? That can’t be avoided as a mayor, given the fact I have to deal with the budget and budgetary matters. I have no idea what cameras and the related set-up would cost.
But what I do know is that when we had to put a traffic light at a key intersection in town, it cost about $120,000. That, the cost of radar equipment, is one of the things that has to be seriously looked at.
Whether you are talking about photo radar to catch speeders or cameras at red lights, we also have to consider the mindset of people. Everybody, or most everybody, knows what the speed limit is. Same with a red light. You see a traffic light and everybody knows that a traffic light is there for your own safety. So, there is, I think, overwhelming — or at least much — support for obeying the law and driving safely.
The real problem I always have had with cameras and similar devices is that they are so impersonal. Especially now when there is a great mistrust of government.
So many people have that mistrust and people will look upon this as just another way for government to collect money.
Additionally, you have to have a human relationship between the motorist and the police officer. When and if you get stopped for speeding, in some cases the cop may give you a ticket. Or he may not, given the particular circumstances surrounding the stop, and even the driver’s demeanor.
Whatever transpires, you can have that dialogue with the police officer.
But the camera is different. A camera is just — boom, you are getting a ticket.
As just about everybody knows, a speed limit could be 60 mph, but you are probably going to get away with going 5 mph above the limit. But with a camera, you do not know if that’s going to be the case.
Rather than have that dialogue, it’s likely going to be a case of the ticket just showing up in the mail. The driver is going to be told, in effect, “Pay up, or you are going to have to go to court.”
What this will do is separate people from government. And I think that when government becomes too separated from people and too impersonal, it is bad.
Using cameras of any kind to enforce driving regulations is not the way to go. What that will do is exacerbate the individual’s resentment toward law enforcement and government. And it could lead to more disrespect and mistrust of both. That would not be good.
Edward Engelbart is the mayor of Pequannock Township.
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