Preview

Should Red Light And Speeding Cameras: Safety Device Or Revenue Generator?

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2662 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Should Red Light And Speeding Cameras: Safety Device Or Revenue Generator?
Chicago State University

Red Light and Speeding Cameras:
Safety Device or Revenue Generator
Final Essay

Alejandra Le

English 1280-3
Mrs. Webster
November 11, 2013

Red Light and Speeding Cameras: Safety Device or Revenue Generator

Many motorists are against traffic cameras because it is believed they are only there to collect revenue and make life difficult. Traffic safety is an issue that has been highly implemented, and there have been many modernizations to execute safe driving. Studies show red light and speeding cameras teach motorists to drive with caution, allows streets to be safe for children and other pedestrians, prevents collisions, and gives
…show more content…
Many motorists argue that with every citation that is given out, points are immediately added to motorists licenses, thus raising their insurance rates. Proponents argue that traffic cameras exist for the safety of drivers and pedestrians; they are responsible for the decrease in collisions and making sure pedestrians are not getting mowed over by reckless drivers. Supporters say the function of the cameras have nothing to do with a drivers insurance rate rising (De Bose). In any case, if traffic cameras affected the motorists insurance rate, red-light and speeding cameras would help lower their insurance rate by reducing the amount of collisions the driver is involved …show more content…
“Should Red-Light Cameras Be Legal?”. (2012). U.S. News Digital Weekly, 4(18), 17.
DeBose, Brian. "Cameras Slow Down Motorists, Study Finds; Before-After Comparison Shows Drop in Speeding." Washington Times [Washington, DC] 3 May 2002: B01. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
Emerling, Gary. "Wider use of Traffic Cameras to Help Close Budget Gap; Lasers to Catch Tunnel Speeders." Washington Times [Washington, DC] 25 Mar. 2009: A01. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 25 Oct. 2013.
Fontaine, Tom. "Cameras at Construction Zones, Traffic Lights Touted for Safety."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review [Pittsburgh, PA] 30 Aug. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 25 Oct. 2013.
"Growing Use of Surveillance Cameras Causes Alarm (sidebar)." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 1 Sept. 2000. Web. 9 Oct. 2013.
Hu, Wen, Anne T. McCartt, and Eric R. Teoh. "Effects Of Red Light Camera
Enforcement On Fatal Crashes In Large US Cities." Journal Of Safety Research 42.4 (2011): 277-282. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Oct. 2013
Kidwell, David, and Bill Ruthhart. "Speed Cameras Ready to Click into Action." Chicago Tribune Aug 10 2013: 1. ProQuest. 25 Oct.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    In this paper, I will discuss the Motorcoach Run-Off-the-Road and Rollover that occurred on U.S. Route 163 Mexican Hat, Utah January 6, 2008. I will begin by discussing how most departments make routine traffic accidents daily on shift. Comparing the preparation between a large city and smaller city. I will then explain on how safety has been of importance of the design of the automobile but cannot take into account driver fatigue. Next I will discuss some of the important facts on the incident from how it happened, patients, response, mutual aid, and preparedness. Following with lessons learned from the incident on how preparedness is key for training to get better and responding for mass casualty incidents and how surrounding jurisdictions should get together to take an inventory of all resources they have so that when needed they can be called upon to send the appropriate support. Finally, applying these…

    • 1319 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The simulation mentioned something about implementing more speedometers to deter drivers from illegal driving actions or speeding but with the courts having to prove that the owner of the car was actually driving at the time the camera snapped that picture and real legitimate lawyers fighting against it, it’s nearly impossible and ineffective.…

    • 316 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Every year, thirty four million speeding tickets are issued in the U.S. That amounts to 93,000 tickets per day, 3,875 per hour, and 65 tickets per minute. Traffic tickets are big business as public and private companies via for their share of the very vulnerable but lucrative driving public. Everyday across the country police officers are out in full number armed with the very latest in speed detection technology and ready to issue tickets to drivers. More and more, drivers are wondering if the increase in the number of tickets being issued along with the escalating costs of the average fine is justifiable. Research shows that issuing more tickets leads to fewer accidents and fewer crash-related injuries. Other articles report that police leaders mandate ticket quotas and that although the number of tickets being issued is rising, accident rates decreased at a much lower rate. While most drivers would agree that this issue is of concern, the majority feel as they are simply easy targets for states and municipalities seeking to increase revenues. This research paper examines the nature and cause of ticket writing to increase revenue and why speeding tickets are a key to a city’s economic growth. It details methods used by police departments, courts, lawyers and the insurance companies to extract money from the driving public. Finally this paper directs motorist’s on how best to minimize their exposure to receiving a speeding ticket and how states can increase revenue without imposing an unjust burden on motorist’s.…

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    First this information describes how red light cameras have decreased accidents. The use of red light cameras has decreased right-angle side impact accidents but, in turn, has caused rear-end collisions to increase. If the goal is to reduce all intersection crashes and possibly be a major solution to most red light violations, lengthening the phase time for yellow lights would decrease the number of people who violated the red light. Studies have shown that having a prolonged time for yellow lights from 4.3 seconds—as required by law—to 5.5 seconds could result in a decrease in violations by 96 percent (A Brief History). This goes with being able to concentrate while driving, being aware of the surroundings on the road that lies ahead of each driver. People make mistakes and this is why they are called accidents. Drivers need to keep in mind that driving is a privilege and not a right. The misuse of speeds and others hazards, vehicles can be considered deadly weapons and being behind the wheel comes with great…

    • 1549 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Goonewardene, S., Baloch, K., Porter, K., Sargeant I., & Punchihewa, G. (2010). Road Traffic Collisions--Case Fatality Rate, Crash Injury Rate, and Number of Motor Vehicles: Time Trends Between a Developed and Developing Country. American Surgeon, 76(9), 977-981…

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Police body cameras are quickly becoming a hot topic both in Congress and in articles. There are several opinions on them, but one thing for certain is that they have their benefits and limitations. Three authors use various rhetorical strategies to convince their audience that body cameras should or should not be used. "Cameras in the Station House" is a peer reviewed article written by no ordinary authors. The contributors and reviewers of this article consist of a state chair man, a criminologist, and two university professors.…

    • 1401 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 2008, 64% of the passenger vehicle occupants ages 13 to 15 and 21 to 34 killed in traffic crashes were not using restraints. These age groups had the highest percentage out of all age groups..…

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Red Light Cameras

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The majority of studies and reports done on red light cameras have shown an increase in crashes. The results show an average of a 27% increase in crashes and a 21% increase in injury crashes after red light cameras are installed. These are caused by drivers having to slam on their brakes due to the known presence of the device at an intersection.…

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    It gives people an idea road conditions around them. People slow down in areas of hazard and construction. Sometime the conditions are worst. There should be signs for your safety in that case. Police need to raise money for their expensive cars, but the money from speeding tickets goes to fixing the road.…

    • 326 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    These devices allow a firsthand look into an incident and give immediate evidence to a case. Heather Ann Myers wrote about a yearlong investigational study of body cameras for law enforcement and said, “The findings suggest more than a 50 percent reduction in the total number of incidents involving use of force.” In this investigation conducted by Chief Tony Farrar, it is clear that body cameras not only traduced the number of occasions where force was used, but also made these situations more clear, in giving video and audio for every situation. In the article “Police Body Cameras: What are the Pros and Cons?” Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum said, “There are certainly benefits . . . in documenting encounters with the public. It provides the context of what happened.” Wexler noticed the benefit of having these cameras and their video at their disposal as well. These cameras help add to the police officers accountability by reinforcing their stories, or in some cases, denying them completely and help eliminate forceful officers from the…

    • 804 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Loeb, Peter D., Wayne K. Talley, and Thomas J. Zlatoper. Causes and Deterrents of Transportation Accidents: An Analysis by Mode. Westport, CT: Quorum, 1994. Print.…

    • 1626 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Body Cameras Debate

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Daniel Wood is the lead staff writer for The Christian Science Monitor, and shows a tremendous background on articles relating to criminal justice. In his article, he refers to events such as Rodney King, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner, to maintain a consistent argument that police brutality is a crucial issue. Therefore, he provides insight of the cause of these events and the significance they held in court. Wood’s research is credible because he personally interviews judges and other civil figures on personal experience with body camera court cases. Hence, he concludes body cameras to be useless in a court case based on the feedback of court elitist. Overall, Wood provides credible resources on today’s current events and carefully addresses his argument with a full understanding of the pros and cons of body cameras.…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Police Body Cameras Essay

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Body cameras are having an effect in police-public interaction and are decreasing anomalous behavior by police officers. According to a study made in the Mesa, Arizona, police department “Officers who wore the cameras experienced a 40 % decline…

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Speeding is a factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes, killing an average of 1,000 Americans every month, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which estimates the cost to society of speed-related crashes to be more than $40 billion each year. Speeding is a problem not only on freeways, but also on local streets. Many commuters opt to take surface streets, thinking they can more efficiently…

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    body cameras has impacted society and law enforcement over the past few years. These cameras…

    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays