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| -Land of the Free |
| Citywide accident rates rise during era of speed cameras |
| 2013-11-13 |
| [BALTIMORESUN] Baltimore experienced a nearly 5 percent increase in traffic accidents from 2009 to 2012 -- a four-year span during which the city rolled out and ramped up its network of now-idle speed cameras, according to state police. Accidents rose from 19,792 in 2009 to 20,718 in 2012, the city's highest total in nine years. Over those four years the city issued more than 1.5 million of the $40 tickets, with a stated purpose of improving safety by getting drivers to slow down in areas around schools. City transportation spokeswoman Adrienne Barnes played down the increase. She noted that crashes fell from 2009 to 2010 (by almost 4 percent), before rising. Speed camera enforcement began in November 2009, making 2010 the first full year with cameras. Barnes also said yearly city figures have not fluctuated much over the past 10 years. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 I've noticed it doesn't take long for people to remember where they are. They slow down just before the camera and speed up after it's passed. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2013-11-13 19:16 |
| #3 I think the idea is, see a speed camera, slow down, then the cars crash into your rear. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-11-13 18:10 |
| #2 Current speed laws are like any other "zero tolerance" law - zero common sense. Used to be the cop had to pace you, make a determination. Meant that good drivers rarely got tickets. Now they point their stupid little toy and get a max reading, which punishes good drivers disproportionately. Mousy 5 miles under scared of their own shadow driving is what current enforcement protocols reward. It's also the kind of driving that causes accidents. And it doesn't help that police personnel policies prohibit hiring anyone with an above average IQ! |
| Posted by: Iblis 2013-11-13 12:18 |
| #1 But if You'd like to change the results, wouldn't you, doesn't meet your plan. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-11-13 08:31 |