Doyle may allow traffic cameras
Governor's plan would permit issuing citations via U.S. mail
Theresa Schneider
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Campus News
A new proposal from Gov. Jim Doyle could make going to the mailbox a nerve-wracking experience. Under the proposal, municipalities could have the option of installing cameras at intersections and construction zones. Traffic violators would then receive a citation through the mail along with a photo of the incident, according to a Feb. 24 Associated Press article.
Statistics have shown red light cameras can reduce serious crashes and injuries, said David Collins, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Patrol.
"(Red light cameras) are a tool to help increase safety," he said, adding that under the proposal individual jurisdictions to decide whether or not to install red light cameras.
Nearly 300 communities around the country currently use red light cameras, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The cameras would use radar to monitor traffic. Once a vehicle trips a camera a photo or short video is used to identify the vehicle. An officer then confirms the incident and a citation is issued, Collins said.
Collins said red light cameras could be especially useful in areas where it's hard to run safety details, such as in construction zones where there is little room to safely pull over speeders, he said. The goal of these cameras is to let the technology do the dangerous work.
"It's a matter of enforcing an area that's unenforceable right now," he said.
This is not Wisconsin's first time considering red light cameras to enforce traffic laws. In 1995, however, the idea was banned because of privacy concerns.
Rep. Merlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids), who supported the red light camera ban in 1995, said the proposal is not well thought out because it doesn't consider some important points. Schneider said the use of red light cameras does not give a driver the chance to defend him or herself. The owner of a vehicle may be getting a citation for an incident he or she may not even remember. Or a citation could be issued when he or she wasn't even driving.
Statistics have shown red light cameras can reduce serious crashes and injuries, said David Collins, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Patrol.
"(Red light cameras) are a tool to help increase safety," he said, adding that under the proposal individual jurisdictions to decide whether or not to install red light cameras.
Nearly 300 communities around the country currently use red light cameras, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The cameras would use radar to monitor traffic. Once a vehicle trips a camera a photo or short video is used to identify the vehicle. An officer then confirms the incident and a citation is issued, Collins said.
Collins said red light cameras could be especially useful in areas where it's hard to run safety details, such as in construction zones where there is little room to safely pull over speeders, he said. The goal of these cameras is to let the technology do the dangerous work.
"It's a matter of enforcing an area that's unenforceable right now," he said.
This is not Wisconsin's first time considering red light cameras to enforce traffic laws. In 1995, however, the idea was banned because of privacy concerns.
Rep. Merlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids), who supported the red light camera ban in 1995, said the proposal is not well thought out because it doesn't consider some important points. Schneider said the use of red light cameras does not give a driver the chance to defend him or herself. The owner of a vehicle may be getting a citation for an incident he or she may not even remember. Or a citation could be issued when he or she wasn't even driving.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Sue Gordon
posted 3/01/09 @ 11:45 PM CST
I hate to say this, but evidence from elsewhere that cameras work is a powerful argument.
More powerful is the argument that "...red light cameras shift the burden of the proof from the officer to the driver. (Continued…)
Bearc1aw
posted 3/02/09 @ 7:02 AM CST
Im not going to argue if these cameras work, I just don't like always being on someones camera. It getsa little big brother; 1984ish if you ask me.
Mark W
posted 3/02/09 @ 8:16 AM CST
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2008/December/Maryland-Teens-Exploit-Traffic-Cameras-to-Prank-Fellow-Motorists.html
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