SPEED TRAPS Speed Traps

Possible Improvements for An Outdated System

By Chris Lessey

What is a speed trap

A speed trap is when a police officer uses a radar gun to see how fast a car is moving If the motorist is speeding the officers gives that person a ticket. Police officers usually choose to hide so that you dont know he is there until its too late.

Are they affective?

They can be very affective if the police officer chooses a good spot. Police officers get most of their revenue from giving out tickets, while spending funds on wages/gas/increased maintenance of police vehicles Impedes traffic when drivers see a parked officer Can cause dangerous situations, e.g. an officer quickly pulling out into traffic to catch a speeder

Can they be improved?

In countries, such as Great Britain, they have what are called speed cameras. There are also other states, such as California, that have similar systems speed in place Essentially these cameras can do the exact same thing for a fraction of the cost and do not impede traffic like a speed trap does. Speed traps take up usable space on roads that could be covered with a camera

Benefits of having speed cameras

Having police cruisers idling on the side of the road is not good for the environment; increased emissions, oil leaks, etc. Cameras could greatly decrease these. Can help guard against drivers running red lights Also aid in stop sign enforcement Footage could also be used to gauge fault in accidents Be able to help track stolen vehicles Better safety in school zones Improved efficiency of public transportation through better enforcement of bus only zones

Disadvantages of speed cameras

Some people would argue that speed cameras are unfair for people who dont know that they are there. Others would argue that speed cameras would be an invasion of privacy. The cost of maintaining the cameras may be greater than a manned speed trap The speed cameras may not work during power outages.

Conclusions

Strategically placed traffic cameras would allow more police to respond to emergency calls and would cause drivers to be more conscious of their actions on the road. Our society would benefit from embracing new technology, rather than using an outdated and wasteful system from the 20th century

Works Cited

Pool, Bob (2007-07-12)."Stop or they'll shoot!" .Los Angeles Times.

" Demonstration of Automated Speed Enforcement in Sc . Westat, Inc. 'Say Cheese Speeders: Pasadena to Test Photo Radar' by Ashley Dunn in The Los Angeles Times, September 17, 1987 O'Halloran and Francis v. The United Kingdom".