Maybe instead of asking the "authorities" to step in and police us, we should ask, "How can I look out for myself?"
I'm happy to report that most people in Minneapolis don't think as you do. We generally tend to work as a community and take into account the safety of our neighbors - NOT just take care of ourselves.
Like many others, Don Davis conflates "taking care of oneself" with "ignoring the safety of others." When I look both ways before proceeding through an intersection, I am taking care of myself and considering the safety of others. If I don't drive in cautious and careful manner, that is, if I don't take care of myself, I am putting others in danger.
After my house was burglarized, I had a choice. I could have appealed to the authorities. Instead, I modified my property to be more burglar resistant. This involved removing a hedge that provided concealment for unsavory types. This change had the consequence of making my neighbors' houses safer by denying crooks a place to hide.
I believe that traffic control lights have the unfortunate consequence of encouraging complacency in drivers. Rather than remain viligent and watchful, drivers assume that others will obey the lights. I believe that red light cameras will encourage drivers to be even more complacent. Had more Minneapolis drivers took care of themselves (by remaining watchful) instead of relying on the community (or the traffic control lights) to protect them, they might not have been in an accident.
I agree with Mark Synder that red light cameras might be an effective tool for law enforcement. What I find missing in much of the red light camera discussion, however, is the subject of personal responsibility. At some point, I realized that complaining about how bad other drivers are would not prevent an accident. I can't protect myself from ever getting in an accident but I certainly can prevent some by being a cautious driver.
Scott McGerik South St Paul
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