Why do people deny DC speedcams rocket for 1mph over?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heres a tip for you DC residents. Invest in some flex seal or expandable foam, and go to town on these cameras. Or find a way to convince the kids to focus their vandalization on these cameras.

DC resident here. Completely agree about the first part. Everyone should make their cars camera ticket-proof.

I’ve lived here for decades now (meaning, TONS of driving both pre- and post-camera installation). I believe I’ve had about 5 tickets in 20 years. I started playing hardball when I saw that the *location* of most (not all) cameras had everything to do with raking in “Gotcha!” revenue and zero to do with safety.

A typical example is the recent camera sited at the BOTTOM of the long hill on Military Rd near 28th, to maximize odds of drivers doing a >26 mph but not at the location where it would address an actual safety issue. One block away, at the top of that hill ...The high-volume intersection near St. Johns HS that sees a hundred of teen pedestrians daily? Squishy humans crossing the street and boarding buses? Nope, no camera there to encourage slower speeds. Drivers can, and routinely do, go 45 there

You see this all over DC at the bottom of hills. Porter, K st, SE-SW freeway, SD ave. Safety isn’t the criterion, getting my money is. I’ve figured out a subversive way to keep my money from the District while ALSO being a safe, respectful driver. Eff them

I don't understand - is there some carve out in the law where it is ok to speed at the bottom of hills? If there is a lot of speeding at the bottom of hills then it makes sense to have cameras there.

Or do you have trouble working your break pedal?

BTW the camera on Military has been there for years and was requested by residents of the street - your suggestion for another camera in front of St Johns is a good one though from my experience living in the neighborhood because it is a long light cycle it tends to usually have some queuing which keeps speeds down which is not the case where the camera is.

[Anonymous]

The speed cams are revenue generators not safety devices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The speed cams are revenue generators not safety devices.

Actually there is about 15 years evidence that traffic cameras are very effective at increasing compliance with traffic laws.

And as always if you are opposed to paying the fines there is an easy way to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

Agree. Cameras are more effective than traffic cops. Cheaper too.

[Anonymous]

Frickin speed limit zero tolerance ninnies are out .... some of you need to get laid (or something).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frickin speed limit zero tolerance ninnies are out .... some of you need to get laid (or something).

Yes. A speed camera has never taken a drunk driver off the road. Pure revenue generation.

Signed,
A Former Traffic Court Judge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frickin speed limit zero tolerance ninnies are out .... some of you need to get laid (or something).

Yes. A speed camera has never taken a drunk driver off the road. Pure revenue generation.

Signed,
A Former Traffic Court Judge

Count me skeptical you are a former traffic court judge but regardless cameras dramatically reduce violation rates where they are deployed.

Seems like we should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time - if you were really a Magistrate in Traffic Court then you'd certainly have dealt with plenty of cases of speeding and are aware of how dangerous it is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frickin speed limit zero tolerance ninnies are out .... some of you need to get laid (or something).

Yes. A speed camera has never taken a drunk driver off the road. Pure revenue generation.

Signed,
A Former Traffic Court Judge

Works for me. If you are going to speed anyway, might as well get some cash for the city out of it. Don’t like it, don’t speed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frickin speed limit zero tolerance ninnies are out .... some of you need to get laid (or something).

Unfortunately in most local jurisdictions with speed camera enforcement the speed limit is not strictly enforced.

In DC, for example, you have to be 11MPH over the speed limit to get a ticket. On a 25MPH road that means you can go 40% above the speed limit before getting a ticket.

That 11MPH difference is the difference between life and death for a pedestrian.

So yeah please consider me a zero tolearance ninnie - if don't want a ticket then don't speed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frickin speed limit zero tolerance ninnies are out .... some of you need to get laid (or something).

Yes. A speed camera has never taken a drunk driver off the road. Pure revenue generation.

Signed,
A Former Traffic Court Judge

What an odd comment. They're not supposed to take drunk drivers off the road. They're supposed to get people to stop speeding.

Speeding is dangerous, whether you're driving drunk or driving sober.

I'd expect a former traffic court judge to know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Constantly see people denying it but even WTOP radio this morning discusses t ha t they ticket for 1mph over .

What's the problem?

If you don't want to get a ticket from a speed camera, then drive below the speed limit. The speed limit is the maximum speed you're legally allowed to drive under ideal conditions.

speed limit enforcement 1-5 over is unreasonable, no one gets pulled over for 1-5 over. Adjust the speed limit to 5 higher

Whether or not the police pull drivers over for it, it's still against the law. Drive below the speed limit, then you don't have to worry.

How far below the posted speed limit is acceptable? People, like you, who drive 5-10 below the speed limit are a safety hazard, and should be ticketed for impeding the flow if traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frickin speed limit zero tolerance ninnies are out .... some of you need to get laid (or something).

Yes. A speed camera has never taken a drunk driver off the road. Pure revenue generation.

Signed,
A Former Traffic Court Judge

A Former Traffic Court Judge has never taken a drunk driver off the road. Pure revenue generation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heres a tip for you DC residents. Invest in some flex seal or expandable foam, and go to town on these cameras. Or find a way to convince the kids to focus their vandalization on these cameras.

DC resident here. Completely agree about the first part. Everyone should make their cars camera ticket-proof.

I’ve lived here for decades now (meaning, TONS of driving both pre- and post-camera installation). I believe I’ve had about 5 tickets in 20 years. I started playing hardball when I saw that the *location* of most (not all) cameras had everything to do with raking in “Gotcha!” revenue and zero to do with safety.

A typical example is the recent camera sited at the BOTTOM of the long hill on Military Rd near 28th, to maximize odds of drivers doing a >26 mph but not at the location where it would address an actual safety issue. One block away, at the top of that hill ...The high-volume intersection near St. Johns HS that sees a hundred of teen pedestrians daily? Squishy humans crossing the street and boarding buses? Nope, no camera there to encourage slower speeds. Drivers can, and routinely do, go 45 there

You see this all over DC at the bottom of hills. Porter, K st, SE-SW freeway, SD ave. Safety isn’t the criterion, getting my money is. I’ve figured out a subversive way to keep my money from the District while ALSO being a safe, respectful driver. Eff them

If you are speeding, you aren’t a safe driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heres a tip for you DC residents. Invest in some flex seal or expandable foam, and go to town on these cameras. Or find a way to convince the kids to focus their vandalization on these cameras.

DC resident here. Completely agree about the first part. Everyone should make their cars camera ticket-proof.

I’ve lived here for decades now (meaning, TONS of driving both pre- and post-camera installation). I believe I’ve had about 5 tickets in 20 years. I started playing hardball when I saw that the *location* of most (not all) cameras had everything to do with raking in “Gotcha!” revenue and zero to do with safety.

A typical example is the recent camera sited at the BOTTOM of the long hill on Military Rd near 28th, to maximize odds of drivers doing a >26 mph but not at the location where it would address an actual safety issue. One block away, at the top of that hill ...The high-volume intersection near St. Johns HS that sees a hundred of teen pedestrians daily? Squishy humans crossing the street and boarding buses? Nope, no camera there to encourage slower speeds. Drivers can, and routinely do, go 45 there

You see this all over DC at the bottom of hills. Porter, K st, SE-SW freeway, SD ave. Safety isn’t the criterion, getting my money is. I’ve figured out a subversive way to keep my money from the District while ALSO being a safe, respectful driver. Eff them

If you are speeding, you aren’t a safe driver.

That may be true, but if you’re not speeding around here you’re apt to get run over, at least on the 4 lane roads / thoroughfares. Having said that, speeding in residential areas is just plain dumb, rude, and dangerous. This is why I like the target vs. limit concept and digital / camera based controls on sustained speeds vs. strict 1 mph over enforcement. The Technology does exists to make this enforceable and even preventive. If cars can be self-driven / lane assisted, etc. then they can definitely be tracked, speeding alerted and auto ticketed, or even a signal sent that slows down the vehicle automatically. No need for traffic cops. Behaviors would be quickly modified. Remember that driving is a privilege, not a “right,” even though we take it for granted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Constantly see people denying it but even WTOP radio this morning discusses t ha t they ticket for 1mph over .

What's the problem?

If you don't want to get a ticket from a speed camera, then drive below the speed limit. The speed limit is the maximum speed you're legally allowed to drive under ideal conditions.

speed limit enforcement 1-5 over is unreasonable, no one gets pulled over for 1-5 over. Adjust the speed limit to 5 higher

Whether or not the police pull drivers over for it, it's still against the law. Drive below the speed limit, then you don't have to worry.

How far below the posted speed limit is acceptable? People, like you, who drive 5-10 below the speed limit are a safety hazard, and should be ticketed for impeding the flow if traffic.

Maintaining the flow of traffic is not the primary goal.

Safety is the primary goal.

You are allowed to drive slower than the speed limit - unless you're driving much slower than the speed limit, on purpose, to slow other people down.

You are not allowed to drive faster than the speed limit, ever.