[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > no police department that I've ever > seen (so no denigration to the Minneapolis Police is intended), has > given traffic enforcement, particularly for moving violations, > anything near the priority it should have, judging from mortality > rates.
>From the Minnesota Department of Public Safety: "Preliminary 2004 Minnesota traffic death figures reflect a significant reduction from 2003 with 60 fewer deaths, a 9.2 percent decrease." Also according to DPS, over 70% of the fatalities occur in rural areas. The real culprit in traffic fatalities continues to be driving while intoxicated. Over 35% of traffic fatalities were alcohol related and another 28% involved excessive speed. No red-light camera system is going to be able to detect the drunk driver or reliably clock the speeder. Given limited resources, I'd rather see more resources go to traffic enforcement by police officers than by cameras. > Even when we do see more enforcement, I think you'll find that the > rate of conviction can be low. If you fight a ticket, the chance is > very, very, high that you will win, because it's too expensive to > throw away an officer's time to go to traffic court. Do you have any data to support this? My information is contrary to this but is also dated so it's possible the situation has changed. I would agree that if an alleged violator contests the ticket, there's a better chance for a reduced plea and/or an adjustment to the fine but a lot of that depends on past record, etc. Rick Mons Tanglewood neighborhood of Shoreview REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
