Submitted by Maleficent-Ad6523 t3_127qdpk in Connecticut
Observant_Neighbor t1_jefis2y wrote
While I wish that traffic cameras would improve/change driver behavior in CT and elsewhere, the evidence is mixed/against improved driver behavior.
First, we don't need another administrative infrastructure that puts costs onto generally law abiding citizens. These tickets are mailed out based on your registration. If you are registered, your car is insured. Thus, there is no pressure to change the behavior of unregistered and uninsured motorists, IMHO a bigger threat to drivers at large.
Second, will traffic camera enforcement punish the driver or the owner of the vehicle? How can you prove who was driving when? In the absence of such proof, the burden shifts to fines on the owner of the vehicle. Is this what we want to do?
Third, who is paying for the tech? Will we outsource this to a private firm? How will that firm get paid? From a share of the fines levied? In CA, judges reduced fines and awarded community service which inadvertently reduced municipal, county and state revenue, making the system too costly to operate as the government had to pay for the cameras whether or not the cameras generated enough money to pay for themselves.
Fourth, what will the state do with that data from speed cameras? We've already seen the abuses with automated license plate readers. See the article at EFF about those abuses.
flatdanny t1_jefmai1 wrote
>Fourth, what will the state do with that data from speed cameras? We've already seen the abuses with automated license plate readers. See the article at EFF about those abuses.
This is often overlooked by the authoritarian crowd. They should be careful what they wish for. The first thing the state will do is sell the data to the private sector, if not specifically prohibited by law..
The first customers will be the insurance industry.
You raise excellent points.
in_sherman t1_jefrie6 wrote
there was that ars technica report a few years back where they simply asked the san fran pd to access all the plate data, which they freely handed over.
they used this information to accurately determine the workplace and home of a city councilperson, for example.
neat!
pond_minnow t1_jeg9npy wrote
> Fourth, what will the state do with that data from speed cameras? We've already seen the abuses with automated license plate readers. See the article at EFF about those abuses.
See also American Dragnet:
> The agency [ICE] has access to the driver’s license data of 3 in 4 (74%) adults and tracks the movements of cars in cities home to nearly 3 in 4 (70%) adults.
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