Regarding the April 3 letter: “Photo enforcement is a win-win-win“:
Yes, let’s try this again — because some people still don’t seem to get it. The question, as framed by the letter writer: Is camera en
forcement about money or safety?
If cameras “scare offenders into slowing down and paying attention,” then they won’t generate any revenue from tickets. When that happens, according to most contracts, the for-profit camera company can pack them up and move out. So, if they work, they’ll be taken down. Where does that leave us? Back at square one.
Luckily for cities (and the private company), cameras don’t work well when it comes to safety. Research shows that cameras don’t eliminate collisions. As it turns out, the “red light runners” are often just making a slow-rolling right turn. Many of the other violations are unintentional, and can’t be prevented by scaring drivers.
Since cameras don’t solve the safety problem, there is only one remaining reason to install them: Money. Even the safety-focused letter writer is eager for some ticket revenue, crying “Let them pay some of my taxes!”
We have serious safety issues on the road, and they need to be fixed. But we can’t solve them with short-term schemes backed up with nothing but hyperbole. We can start moving forward by doing an internet search for the term “traffic calming.” If we educate ourselves and our leaders about the real safety solutions available, we can create a long-term plan to protect our families — that’s the real win!
Kyle Brotherton
Edmonds
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