It’s FOR OUR SAFTEY, PEOPLE!
By jimrob | March 11, 2008
Red-Light Cameras Face Court Challenge - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines
A case before the Iowa Supreme Court on Tuesday could decide whether or not Council Bluffs continues ticketing drivers who are caught on camera running red lights.
Opponents of the photo enforcement law said the cameras violate constitutional rights, but proponent said the cameras save lives.
The city of Davenport recently shut down its traffic enforcement cameras after a rash of court challenges. The Iowa Civil Liberties Union argued that the red-light cameras are not fair because they take away an individuals due process right to face his accuser.
Paul Schmitz said a camera caught him running a red light and, yes, he thinks his rights may have been violated.
“What if Im driving someone elses vehicle, and they give that other person a ticket and Im the one who actually violated the law?” Schmitz said.
It doesn’t matter what happens to you or the unfortunate recipient of your traffic citation. What matters is that the PUBLIC is protected from whatever dangers (real, perceived, or otherwise) it may face.
Cities with the cameras argue that local ordinances only impose civil penalties against the car owner, not criminal penalties. Offenders cant go to jail and there are no points assessed against a drivers license.
Assistant Council Bluffs City Attorney Don Bauermeister said police cant watch an intersection 24 hours a day but a camera can. Public safety is the question, not due process arguments, Bauermeister said.
“The real deterrent to stop someone from doing something is to get in their mind that theyre going to get caught,” the prosecutor said.
Well hell, let’s just stick cameras everywhere! If everyone is monitored constantly, crime would cease to exist! (Would that mean we wouldn’t need gun control laws anymore?)
A recent study by the Iowa Department of Transportation found that since Council Bluffs installed its cameras, red-light running crashes have dropped by 90 percent.
“Weve saved somebodys life,” Bauermeister said. “Weve saved a permanent injury. Were creating, in my opinion, better drivers.”
You’ve spared a life and avoided an injury. Bravo. I’ll use that as motivation to smile the next time you snap my picture.
Topics: "Privacy" |
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