Re: [Mpls] Photo Cops

[Tim Bonham]

I still say the same as I said when we debated this once before: we'd be better off if instead of spending our tax money trying to catch people in traffic crimes, we spent it on preventing these crimes.

Instead of spending money on cameras to catch red light runners, spend the money on 'demand-triggered lights' that won't be red unless there is opposing traffic. Most red light runners happen when the light is red but there is no traffic on the opposing street (obviously, otherwise they would run into the cross traffic). We wouldn't have red light runners (at least, not many) if the lights weren't red -- if they would turn green for the street with the traffic.

And there are side benefits of free-er flowing traffic, less gas wasted & less pollution created waiting at red lights, etc. And as people got used to the idea that the light is red means that there actually is traffic on the cross street, they would be much less likely to try to run the red light. Even those crazies who ignore most traffic laws would at least hesitate before running a red light.

I also do not believe the arguments that this would be too expensive. Nearly every grocery store, every Target & Wal-Mart, etc. have automatic sensors to open the door for customers. Many of us have paid for automatic sensors to turn on the yard lights when someone comes up our sidewalk. I can't see that these would be that much more expensive. They'd certainly be much cheaper to install & operate than a bunch of red-light cameras & detectors.

_______________________________________

Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls