[MissoulaGov] Red Light Cameras in Missoula

[Russ Fletcher]

If I heard the news story correctly, the company that distributes the 
cameras will install them free of charge and then take a percentage of 
traffic ticket fines to cover their costs and make a profit.
Sort of like "Big Brother" capitalism.....

Sherri Davidoff wrote:

> It sounds like these cameras will routinely snap photographs at 

> intersections, even when cars are just a little over the line. 

> Pedestrians and other cars can be captured in the film. It's creepy to 

> feel that when you walk or drive through an intersection in our town, 

> you could be monitored and your image could be stored. One thing that 

> I really appreciate about Missoula is that there are far fewer cameras 

> here than in bigger cities. I think that a government which respects 

> its citizens (and their privacy) would refrain from deploying mass 

> monitoring devices such as red light cameras.

>

> Also, from the articles you sent, it sounds like the safety impact of 

> these cameras is mixed. The town would probably make money off of 

> tickets, but is our purpose to make money? I bet that investing the 

> same amount in a PR campaign or youth driver training programs would 

> have a positive impact, without chipping away at everyone's privacy.

>

> Sherri

>

>

>

> Russ Fletcher wrote:

>> Just saw a news broadcast that stated that Missoula was going to try 

>> out red light cameras.

>> Brought to mind some stories that have come out in the past.

>> Missoula is late to the game so we should learn from what others have 

>> experienced.

>> Accidents and ticket revenue up...

>> Thought it might be good to start the dialogue.

>>

>> <http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/12/na-red-light-cameras-increase-accidents-usf-study-/> 

>>

>>

>>

>>     Red-Light Cameras Increase Accidents, USF Study Says

>>     

>> <http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/12/na-red-light-cameras-increase-accidents-usf-study-/> 

>>

>>

>> http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/12/na-red-light-cameras-increase-accidents-usf-study-/ 

>>

>>

>>

>>     Company Says Red-Light Cameras, Drop In Injury Accidents Linked

>>     

>> <http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jan/25/company-links-red-light-cameras-drop-injury-accide/> 

>>

>>

>> http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jan/25/company-links-red-light-cameras-drop-injury-accide/ 

>>

>>

>>

>>     Red-Light Cameras Increase Accidents: 5 Studies That Prove It

>>     

>> <http://www.motorists.org/blog/red-light-cameras-increase-accidents-5-studies-that-prove-it/> 

>>

>>

>> http://www.motorists.org/blog/red-light-cameras-increase-accidents-5-studies-that-prove-it/ 

>>

>>

>>

>>   D.C. Red-Light Cameras Fail to Reduce Accidents

>>   

>> <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301844.html> 

>>

>>

>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301844.html 

>>

>>

>>

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